21 Days of Prayer and FastingSample

Obedience

Jesus radicalized culture when He took the ten commandments of the Hebrew law and summed them up in two: love the Lord your God, and love others as yourself. At a quick glance, this seems simple enough, but Jesus was actually raising the standard. While before the command was to love God and not sin against your neighbor, now the directive is to level up and actually love our neighbor as well. Obedience to God is no longer a matter of do’s and don’t with external conformity, but is now an internal matter of the heart. It isn’t enough to do the right thing, our attitude and thoughts must also be in alignment with a posture that elevates others. With love as the command, Christ-followers are constantly faced with the choice of obedience. But really, God is setting us up for success, because His commands come with promises. A life built on love is one that flourishes, producing blessings, joy, and peace.

PRAYER:

Father, I want to honor your directions with my obedience. I submit my heart and its attitude completely to You. Inspect me and know me; Holy Spirit I am listening for ways I can live in obedience to You and love your people more. I desire to see love as not merely an action, but an attitude. When I am loving my friends, family, and neighbors, it’s not only with actions and words but with a heart postured to put them and their needs before my own. Help me to represent You with every part of my life. Thank You for Your promised blessings when I choose to walk in love.