Love is patient!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

PRAYERS

1. Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of family. Thank You for my parents, siblings, husband, wife, children, and every member of our family. I give You praise and glorify Your name for making me a member of my present family. I express my profound gratitude for Your wisdom and commit myself to love You and others, in Jesus' name.

2. Today, O LORD, I stand in the authority in the name of Jesus and bind every spirit of discord, bitterness, and resentment in my family. I declare that we will walk in unity and understanding, extending grace and forgiveness to one another. By the power of your Holy Spirit, Father, I release a spirit of patience and kindness within our family dynamics, in Jesus' name.

3. In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast out any spirit of envy or jealousy that may try to infiltrate our hearts. I declare that we will celebrate and support one another's successes, knowing that your blessings upon one are blessings upon all. I release a spirit of genuine joy and contentment in our family, in Jesus' name.

4. I break the stronghold of pride and self-centeredness in my family. I declare that, from today on, we will honor and value each family member. We will put the needs of others above our own. We receive a spirit of humility and servanthood among us, in Jesus' name.

5. I bind and command every spirit of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness to leave our family in the name of Jesus. I declare that we will choose forgiveness and let go of past hurts. By the power of Christ's love, I release a spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation, and emotional healing in our family, in Jesus' name.

6. I stop any evil spirit of harm or division from entering our family. I release a spirit of unity, security, and unconditional love within our family lineage. I declare that we will protect and cherish one another; we will create a safe and nurturing environment where love thrives and where everyone finds their purpose, in Jesus' name.

7. Father, I declare an increase in trust and loyalty within our family. I bind every spirit of doubt and suspicion and release a spirit of trust and faithfulness among us. By your power, I release a deepening of the bonds of trust and reliance upon one another, in Jesus' name.

8. May the spirit of hope and optimism for the future possess every member of my family. I bind every spirit of discouragement and negativity. I declare that we will believe and support one another's dreams and aspirations, in Jesus' name.

9. Father, grant us the grace and wisdom to persevere and overcome challenges that try to tear us apart. Release a spirit of resilience and determination upon us. Teach us teamwork and support because we are stronger together, in Jesus' name.

10. Thank You, LORD, for the abounding love you have poured into me and everyone in my family. By your authority, I declare that your love will be a guiding force in all that we do. Your love will bind us together. Your love will flow through us, transforming our relationships and bringing glory to your name, in Jesus' name.

MEDITATION

Love is the cornerstone of a thriving family. When there is love, we create an environment where trust, respect, and unity flourish. Love is not merely an emotion but a choice — an intentional commitment to prioritize the well-being and happiness of our family members. Meditate on how we can embody the qualities of love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 in our interactions with our family.

CONTINUE TO:

1. Pray for God's love to permeate every aspect of your family's life. Ask God to fill your hearts with His unconditional love and to help you demonstrate that love to one another.

2. Pray for love and understanding to abound between family members. Ask God to cultivate a spirit of patience, kindness, and humility within your family relationships.

3. Pray for God's grace to heal any broken relationships within your family. Ask God to bring reconciliation, forgiveness, and restoration where there may be hurt or division.

LET'S CONNECT

1. Do you have a specific need in your family? Share in the comments, and I will join you in prayer.

2. Share this prayer to bless others.

Something good is on your way.

Dr. Daniel Okpara | Daniel Okpara | Light Bearer | Shining Light Christian Centre

#prayersforyourfamily

What is love then?

What is love?

In Peter's epistle, we read: 'Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins' (1 Peter 4:8) 

Here is another verse that I like too.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

 1 Corinthians 13:1 

And I mustn't forget this one:

7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.…

1 John 4:8

What is love then? When we go at a wedding, we often hear those verses about love. You may have heard them before, you may not!

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

It's a definition of the perfect love! (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 

Salvation, peace, hope, purpose, love, Kingdom of Heaven

The Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Rt Rev Robert Paterson, speaking at the General Synod today said potential members were put off by the Church of England's "internalising" tendency.
He said the Church of England was failing to capitalise on a widespread "residual faith" in English society.
"There is a great deal of residual faith around in this country, you only have to meet people in hospital, people who are sad from the death of those they love, people who don't turn up on Sundays to church but who ask us to pray with them," he said.
He added: "The trouble is that what is on the label of the Church tin is still not what is in the tin.
"On the label, the church tin says 'open here for salvation, peace, hope, purpose, love, Kingdom.. but when it is open inside the tin we so often find humbug, or if we are Anglicans, fudge.
"People outside the church have noticed that internalising tendency and they don't want to belong to an apparently useless and self-orientated organisation.
"The symptoms of this can be seen in the general decline of the self- preserving parts of the institutional church and in contrast, growth among the more visionary and less defensive."

What is love?

 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13