Song: ‘This is how we know.’ Matt Redman
Reading:
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
1 John 3.16-18
Reflection:
When St John says, ‘Dear children’ he’s speaking to everyone, all the children of God. He says we shouldn’t just say we love people if we’re not doing anything to show that love – that if we have material possessions and yet we don’t show any pity for our brother or sister – how is that love? Not to say that that’s the only way to love people, but that’s a very practical way to love people. How generous are we as Christians? How caring are we as Christians? How hospitable are we as Christians, especially when it is not in our self-interest?
If we don’t act, it’s almost as if we think we deserve to be in a better position because it’s only by God’s grace that we’re not in the position of the one in need. Jesus himself says: ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Everything that we do to people, we do as if we do it to Christ.
Activity: Using HALF of A5 piece of paper (use fire coloured paper i.e. orange, red, yellow OR colour whatever paper you have) and cut out a heart shape. On the front write the theme for the day.
Place the heart in front of you around the large heart shape and pray for the day ahead. Thank God for the day ahead. Pray for yourself, your family & friends, colleagues and neighbours, those on the frontline, those struggling, ill, grieving. And use the pray for today:
Prayer:
Loving God, thank You for Your costly love. Please may my five friends understand something of the strength of Your love for them. Help us to use our resources well.
Action:
How could you use what you already have to show others how alive and active the love of Jesus is?
Use the back of the love heart you created to jot down your answer.
The full version of the “Thy Kingdom Come” Prayer Journal 2020 can be viewed here: www.thykingdomcome.global/sites/PrayerJournal2020
