People are told they had already heard a saying

Choose steady kindness toward both familiar people and those who oppose you

Be kind mainly where it feels easy and keep distance from the rest

Show warmth only when you expect appreciation

Care first for people in your circle and leave outsiders to others

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sinned, loved only when it was easy, and carried hostility in my heart. I repent and turn from my sin. I believe you died for me and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I ask you to make me new so I can love as you love. Amen.

Lord, Make My Heart New

Lord, revive your Church where our love has grown narrow and our hearts have learned suspicion. Break the habit of dividing people into easy ones and enemies, and fill us with the wide, costly love of Christ. Make us a people who bless rather than curse, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your People to Love Wider

Father, I confess that I often love the people close to me and resist those who oppose me. Forgive me for the resentment, prejudice, and hardness in my heart. Teach me to turn from that way and to walk in the love you call good, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Turn Me From Selective Love

Pray for: one person you would rather keep at a distance; a softer heart toward that person; a way to do them good without waiting for repayment.

For the One I Find Hard

Name one person you tend to label as an enemy, ask God to show you what compassionate love could look like, and ask for one practical step you can take this week.

Pray for a Wider Heart

Thank God for loving you when you were not easy to love, for exposing narrowness in your heart, and for teaching you to care beyond your comfort zone.

Give Thanks for God's Wider Love

Ἠκούσατε{ee-KOO-sa-te###ee-KOO-sah-teh###You have heard} ὅτι{HO-ti###HOH-tee###that} ἐρρέθη·{e-RRE-thee###eh-RREH-thee###it was said} Ἀγαπήσεις{a-ga-PEE-sees###ah-gah-PEE-sees###You shall love} τὸν{TON###TOHN###(the)} πλησίον{plee-SI-on###plee-SEE-ohn###neighbor} σου{soo###soo###your} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} μισήσεις{mi-SEE-sees###mee-SEE-sees###you shall hate} τὸν{TON###TOHN###(the)} ἐχθρόν{ekh-THRON###ehkh-THROHN###enemy} σου.{soo###soo###your}

Matthew 5:43 — DynamicTAB

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