Everyday Prayers for Loveনমুনা

Loving Your Friends

I met Cecelia in the bathroom, of all places, although we attended the same church. We had a sense of recognition when we bumped into each other. We continued talking as we walked to our cars, and we were led to start a Bible study together. Thus began our Thursday morning Bible study, called the Morning Gathering.

Each week, around 50 women gather from all over our community. Various ages, races, professions, life stages, and denominations unite for two hours to grow closer to the Lord. The format includes a large group meeting and then breaking into smaller groups to discuss what we’ve learned. Our group discussions are lively and engaging. We share a oneness of heart and soul because of our love for the Lord and His people.

Oneness was the heart of Jesus when He walked the earth as Immanuel, God with us. In the Gospels, we are privy to His interactions with His friends, who were His disciples. Jesus clearly loved this group of motley men. Before He went to the cross, He selected these men to share in His final meal.

In His Upper Room discourse, Jesus prays for His disciples and future believers. His prayer for us was that we would be one as Jesus was one with God. His great desire was for these followers to walk in harmony with all believers as an extension of their unity with Him and the Father.

We can follow Jesus’s example for friendship. He never excluded people. He welcomed everyone into a relationship with Him.

We don’t all have to be the same to become friends. Our distinctions are beautiful, and we can unite even in our diversity.

Prayer

Father, thank You for being my Friend. I’m grateful You modeled what it looks like to have friends and how to be a good friend. Help me to be open to new relationships no matter what our differences may be. Give me guidance on how to display Your love to the people You’ve placed in my life. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Questions for Deeper Reflection

1. Who are your closest friends? Do you have trouble making or keeping friends? How can you display love to your friends?
2. Are you helping to unify the body of Christ, the church? Are your friends different than you or very similar? What would it look like for you to create oneness in your community?