Living in the Word – Prayer Devotional for Loving Others
This can be such a hard topic to follow and abide in at times.
People around us can be rude and disrespectful. They can be ugly with their words and actions. People can spout off in anger and take their pain out on you.
But we are called to love them.
People can purposefully belittle you and criticize. They can try to tear you down in order to build themselves up. They can cause others to turn against you as well.
But we are called to love them.
I could certainly go on but you get the point. We are surrounded by people on a daily basis who don’t know God or don’t live by His word. We are all sinners so we fall into that second category from time to time as well.
But we are called to love others. We are not to be swayed by the negativity of people or the world around us. In all situations we are to be representatives of God’s love and grace. We are to be the pillars. The light.
Don’t allow hate to enter your heart. Be rid of bitterness. Let go of anger. Forgive others. These need to be our goals so that we can follow God’s command to love one another!
I intentionally added a multitude of bible verses on this post for you to reference and focus on. This is an area that I think so many of us need to really pray for guidance.
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
1 John 4:9-11
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:21
And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 4:8-10
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Romans 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Philippians 2:3-5
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Matthew 5:43-47
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Romans 12:20-21
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Galatians 5:13-15
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you,for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,
I pray that these verses bless you and help you in loving others as we are called to do. Let me know in the comments below which verses spoke to you most today.
God bless!
Melissa
Emily
It can be difficult to remember this, but it’s so important to love and forgive not only because Jesus commands us to, but because we’ll live much healthier lives when we do!
melissa
Absolutely Emily! When we are stuck in a place of bitterness, resentment, and anger towards others we are negatively effecting our own outlook towards life as well as all of the health concerns related to stress. We also miss out on the beauty and blessing around us. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Lori
It is hard to love the unlovable. But when we really think about it, we’re an unlovable also. We should be thankful for God’s love and mercy when we don’t deserve it. Because of His love and mercy, we should be willing to love and give mercy to others. Great post, Melissa.
melissa
That is such a great perspective Lori and so true. We are unlovable and only made so through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts and insights. God bless!
Julie
This is certainly hard, Melissa, especially when it’s family members. If it’s an acquaintance, we can make new friends but with family, it’s harder. Lots of praying and asking God to soften my heart towards these loved ones!
melissa
It is harder with family members. There is more emotion involved and that clouds our judgment and obedience to God. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. God bless your holidays and time with family members.
JJ @ Chickening-IN
I have a particular person right now who is causing a lot of problems for me. It is easy to want to dismiss her or write her off, but when I remember that God loves her as much as He loves me it changes my attitude. Great bible verses. Thank you!!
melissa
That is such a great reminder. The people we struggle with are loved by God just as much as us! Thank you for stopping by and sharing. God bless your journey!
Keisha Russell
I just encountered this weekend someone that was not making it very easy for me to love them like Jesus loves, but I had to forgive their behavior and move on. Love is tough to show at times when people make it difficult. We just have to push forward, forgive them and love them anyway. I love the scriptures you posted as well!
melissa
So true because loving others isn’t ultimately about them but about our love for God and pouring it out onto everyone around us not matter who they are. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Katie Braswell
Romans 15:1-2 really touches me. I know in my heart what is right, but sometimes the hurt wins. It takes over and makes me ugly. Even though someone has hurt me, I can move forward in love because my Savior has done the same for me. Thank you for such convicting, yet encouraging scripture!
melissa
Those verses get me, too. They cut through our pride and selfishness and remind us that we are to do onto others. It can be so tough sometimes if we rely on our own abilities. Thankfully we have the love and strength of Christ to pour out love onto others. Thank you for stopping and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Kristi
I tell my kids often, and myself, that it is ok to be upset, but it’s not ok to act inappropriately with that anger. Pray about it. Let God deal with my heart and theirs but we can’t allow ourselves to seek vengeance. We must seek forgiveness.
melissa
Yes, we must seek forgiveness. Vengeance hurts us, the other person, and the kingdom of God. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Lacy Ngo
I enjoyed reading this and took notes as I read. Great scriptures!
melissa
I’m glad you found the post beneficial. Thank you for reading and commenting. God bless!
Teliah NaShonia
It has been so difficult to live by these principles. But, I am so happy to have God to lean on when I fall short on forgiving those that have hurt me. I needed to hear these words. I am so happy that you were lead to writing this post thank you for reminding me that all of my actions need to be biblical no matter what I may encounter.
melissa
Teliah, I’m so glad you found this post and that you found it beneficial. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts and experiences. God bless!