1Cor. 13:1-7 – 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. 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 do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Heavenly Father, the current meanness and madness of our culture make these beloved words timely, beautiful, and necessary. No matter how many spiritual gifts we have, or how powerful a faith; even if we were the most generous person in our circle of friends, or were martyred for our faith—without love it’s all for naught. We are nothing—without a heart, thoughts, words, and acts of love.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
By the transforming power of the gospel, supersize our patience with difficult people and disheartening circumstances. Replace our edginess and prickliness with your kindness and peace. Grant us contentment in Christ, and by Christ, so we’ll envy less, whine less, and grow in genuine humility.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Grant us hearts of mercy, and quickness in covering the foibles and failures of others. Continue to free us of self-interest, self-exaltation, and other forms of self-ism. Help us steward our anger carefully. Give us a photographic memory when it comes to the gospel, but amnesia when it comes to the ways people hurt us.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Father, may we delight in justice and beauty, but keep us free from every expression of a vengeful heart. Vengeance belongs to you, not us.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
By your grace, may we protect those we love—emotionally, spiritually, and otherwise. Help us trust when trusting isn’t easy; hope, not based on what we see; and persevere, when we’d sooner give up.
Father, our peace comes from knowing we’re not saved by how well we love, but by how much you love us in Jesus. Hallelujah! So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ kind and powerful name.