Day Nine: That he would love the church
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. –John 13:34-35
Many children that grow up in churches are walking away. (Though some statistics are quite misleading). I can’t help but think that some of the reason is that our children have never really learned to love the bride of Christ. Our sons can get caught in the crossfire of petty church fights—he can also cause them. The love that he has for the church is proportional to his love for Christ. Let us pray that our sons will love the church, serve the church, and be loyal to the church.
Lord, thank you for your church that you have redeemed by your blood. I pray that my son would love her, in all of her stains, warts, and failings. Help him to bleed for your Bride. Cause him to see the necessity of covenanting with a local church. Give him a servants heart. Help him to love the Bride the way that you love him, so that all may see your greatness. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I think you that you have given us an identity together as your Bride to be your Body, the corporate manifestation of you in your physical absence. So I pray for my sons that they will love your Body as they love you. I pray that they will serve your body in fellowship and ministry, in evangelism and discipleship.