“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)
CHALLENGE
Pray that our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ would continue to grow.
PREPARATION
- Praise God for who He is
- Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing
- Allow His Spirit to draw you near
- Listen as He speaks to you
REQUESTS
- Pray that we at Westheights would be able to connect easily with visitors.
- Pray for community for any of our brothers and sisters who are far from home.
- Pray that our Christian love would serve as an invitation for non-believers to come to Christ.
THANKSGIVING
- Thank God for hearing you.
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will.
QUOTATION
“Keep Jesus Christ in your hearts and you will recognize His face in every human being. You will want to help him out in all his needs: the needs of your brothers and sisters .” – Pope John Paul II
LIFE STORY
After finishing university, I decided that I wanted to do some traveling. My friends and family were all busy with schooling or careers so I knew that I was on my own. A friend of mine knew a woman in Australia who was looking for a flatmate so off I went. I arrived in Australia with a year-long visa and a handful of phone numbers given to me by friends and acquaintances in Canada who knew someone I might be able to stay with as I traveled around Australia.
I had realized before I left Canada that traveling for an extended period of time without having close contact with the people I knew and loved could be lonely. I hoped that I would find people who I could connect with.
The woman I had made arrangements to stay with at the beginning of my travels belonged to a Baptist church. The congregation of that church welcomed me into their community as if I had belonged there my entire life. Their outpouring of love and care was truly amazing. Their lives and their church were centred in Christ.
My time in Australia was spent traveling to one place or another for several weeks at a time – always returning “home” to that loving community of brothers and sisters in Christ. The tenderhearted love of that community was truly a blessing from God.
Contributed by: Amy van Dijk