Small Acts of Great Love - Your Nightly Prayer - February 8th
Small Acts of Great Love
Your Nightly Prayer
By Sophia Bricker
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
"Do everything in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:14
SOMETHING TO PONDER
When my mother first went to the hospital for heart failure, family life was deeply impacted. A few days after she was admitted, a neighbor dropped by bearing a large bag and a vase of flowers. She did not know exactly how to help, but she knew we probably needed food. Upon opening her gift, we discovered a lovingly prepared meal. That night, we did not have to add meal preparation to our list of things to worry about.
Bringing a dish of macaroni and a bundle of flowers to a family undergoing hardship might seem minuscule amid the life-changing events. Yet that small act done in love brought encouragement. It reminded us that we were not alone; others cared about what we were facing and were present to provide support.
Jesus taught that others would recognize His disciples by their love (John 13:35). The way of the Lord is that of love through words and deeds (1 John 3:18). From great acts to tiny deeds, believers show themselves to be followers of Jesus. We are meant to live every day with this posture, to do everything in love as the Apostle Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 16:14).
Individuals may not notice our little deeds done with compassion, like sacrificing our time to spend with them or going out of our way to provide a gift or word of encouragement. No applause exists for the woman at church who leaves unseen from an event to wash the dishes from the dinner. Or for the man who wakes up early to complete the laundry for his tired and sick wife.
But praise from humans is not the point. We are working for the One who loves us beyond measure and who demonstrated the greatest act of compassion by dying for us on the cross (Romans 5:8). He who washed the disciples’ feet is the One we serve. And we honor Him greatly when we humble ourselves to do tasks in love, especially if they are unnoticed.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Compassionate and gracious God,
You are the One who formed the stars and created all people. Yet, you kneeled before the disciples to wash their feet. You hung on the cross to die for them, to die for me. No greater love can compare to what You have shown. Empower me, O Lord, to walk in Your ways and to despise not the little and unnoticed ways of loving my neighbor. For You willingly humbled Yourself by taking the role of a servant and pouring out Your life for the sake of humankind. May I notice the opportunities around me, each day, to speak a kind word, offer friendship, serve in some way, or merely sit and listen. Do not let me walk by when I see someone suffering, but to offer them the love that comes from You, Jesus. In Your name, I pray.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. A person in Scripture who offered something small. For example, the widow who gave two small coins (Mark 12:41-44), or the woman who wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair (Luke 7:36-50). How were their acts of love perceived by others? In contrast, what did the Lord think of them?
2. Something small that brings you joy: tiny flower petals, seeds used for planting, a short poem, small baby hands, or the paws of a dog. What beauty do you notice in these minuscule gifts?
3. Acts of kindness shown to you in the past. Were these major deeds, or simple and small acts? What meant the most to you about the loving gesture?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Tim Marshall
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