And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.  1 Thessalonians 3:12 NKJV

Have you ever considered the importance of praying that our love as Christians would increase and abound?  It was one of the Apostle Paul’s prayers for the Thessalonians, and it should be included in our prayer lives also. 

Christians should be characterized by love.  It was not as if the Thessalonians were an unloving group of people.  As a matter of fact, the opposite was true.  Timothy had just brought Paul good news of their love and faith (1 Thes. 3:6).  

However, Paul did not want them to ever be satisfied with their ability to love.  He wanted it to always be growing.  Paul wanted to come to them and teach them more about Christ.  He knew that the more they knew about Christ, the more they would love God and others.

The command to love one another flows throughout the New Testament.  The “one anothers” are the church – Christians.  Jesus said, 

By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  John 13:35

Paul also prayed that their love for “all” would increase and abound.  The command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18) began in the Old Testament.  Jesus commanded us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44).  God loved us when we were unlovable (Rom. 5:8).  Therefore, we should love all people, including our enemies.  

It is no wonder that we need to pray about love every day.  We certainly do not possess the capability to love all people in our flesh.  It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we can sincerely have that kind of love.  It is through love that we can reach out to a dying world and give them a picture of God’s love for them.  Let’s commit to pray for increasing, abundant love!

God wrote a love letter to us – the Bible. 

It is very important that we spend time there every day.  A short amount of time in God’s Word is better than none.  We will be reminded of God’s love for us as we read and study. 

When we find it hard to love someone, remember where God has brought us from and how unlovable we were at that time, and even now.  

Always remember to pray for God to increase our love and the love of other Christians.

Dear Lord, forgive me for not being as loving as You want me to be.  Thank You for loving me, and enable me to show that kind of love to ALL people.  In Your name, I pray.  Amen.

Exchange fear for faith, worry for worship, and panic for peace with Carolyn’s new book, Eyes of Faith: Winning the Battle Between Our Feelings and Our Faith