1 John 4:19 prayer

We want to be a loving community as our Lord Jesus wants us to be.  Here is a prayer that I found helpful in my prayer this morning. 

1. John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.
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Jesus, you are the author and originator of love. We only know love because you are love and you loved us first. You love us specifically and sacrificially. You love us in our sin and rebellion against you. You love us despite the pain we inflict on others. You love us in our mess. It is that love - that selfless, self-sacrificing love, which allows us to love others. It is an overflow of your love for us that allows us to love other people. Jesus, we ask you to make us better lovers of one another. Would you give us the heart and love to proclaim your love to those who need to hear it?

(Taken from:   http://rachbaxter.com/12prayers/2016/10/30/12-prayers-for-loving-one-another)