PRAYER FOR TODAY

God of all Creation, with our lips and from our hearts we praise You.  We are humbled and honored to be made in Your image to reflect Your nature. We confess that we do not always demonstrate the character of our Creator. We do not love the way our Savior loved. We succumb to the temptation to love only those who like us or are like us. We do not always see others who are different from our neighbors whom we are called to love but view them with suspicion and disdain. Empower us, O Lord, to love and not hate. Enable us to live generously and graciously toward others – all others. To treat everyone like we want to be treated – with respect and dignity. Even when others disrespect us and work against us, help us to respond with love and grace just like You do. It is not easy to love everybody all the time regardless of who they are, how they think, and what they do. But that is the way You love us. You give Your best – “the sun to warm and the rain to nourish – to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and “nasty.” You place no qualifications or limitations on Your love.    Dear Lord, help us today to pray for and act on behalf of all those whom You have created. To make no distinction between those whom we claim as friends, family, neighbors, and those whom we view as our enemies. By the power of Your Holy Spirit enable us today to love as You love without reservation. In the powerful and loving name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!