Demonstrating Love's Attributes

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

—1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to love beyond my mind, will and emotions—understanding that I only truly love when I am presently, actively engaged in demonstrating love’s attributes to others.

Work in me that my love might endure long, so that I might be patient and kind at all times, in all situations, and with everyone I encounter—never allowing any hurt, offense, or injustice to cause me to become bitter, resentful, or vengeful.

Keep me from giving into the temptation to become envious of others or to boil over with jealousy. Instead, help me to celebrate the evidence of Your blessing upon their lives—always remaining content and thankful for the blessings You have poured out on my own life.

Keep me from acting prideful, boastful, arrogant, or rude—and may I never think more highly of myself than I ought, but with humility acknowledge that anything good in me is only because of You.

Keep me from selfishly demanding my own way.  Instead, help me to highly esteem the thoughts and opinions of others, always seeking to understand, that I might grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Keep me from being irritable—by helping me to guard the peace You have placed in my heart, that comes from knowing You and knowing who I am in Christ.

Help me to freely forgive and release others from any wrongs that they have done to me—so that I have no need to keep a record of those wrongs, making me free to live at peace and in joy in the here and now, rather than to be trapped in the past.

Help me to rejoice in truth and justice—as You enable me to discern what is true and just in every situation—and give me the courage and resolve to pursue it.

Show me how to love—so that the love that I offer others will be a love that never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Help me to love beyond my mind, will and emotions—understanding that I only truly love when I am presently, actively engaged in demonstrating love’s attributes to others.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.