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A Prayer About the Primacy of Loving Jesus

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-27

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matt. 10:37

     Dear Jesus, your words to us are both shocking and inviting, at the same time. Only in light of the gospel can we possibly understand the exclusive claim you make on our affections, as your called disciples and beloved Bride. Grant us great grace to understand the glory and radical implications of belonging to you.

     We certainly know you’re not calling us to actually hate anyone, especially members of our own families. For the world will know that we truly are your disciples by the way we love one another—by the way we love in response to your incomparable and immeasurable love for us (John 13:34-35).  In fact your love is so great for us, it alone gives power to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27-36).

     That’s really the bottom line, isn’t it? Our greatest need is to know, in the depths of our hearts and with every fiber of our being, just how much you love us. Blessed Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, enable us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep your love for us really is (Phil 3:18-19). Make your love astonishing and compelling to us again… or for the very first time (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

     For only then will we love you as you deserve to be loved and delight to be loved.  Only then will our love for you make the love we have for our spouses, children, parents and siblings seem like hate in comparison. Only then will we recognize how we tend to make idols of our families, looking to them to be to us and for us what you alone can be. Only then will we actually love the members of our families the way you intend—as an extension and expression of your perfect love.

     Jesus, you are the ultimate Spouse. It is only in relationship with you that we find the deepest cravings, longings and desires of our hearts met. Forgive us for looking to anyone or anything else for the life and intimacy you alone can give. Forgive us for putting anyone or anything above you in priority and passion. Free us from the blinding and paralyzing effects of our unbelief.

     Jesus, for your glory, renew and intensify our love for you. Take our affections to new places of liberating and transforming wonder. Take the governor off of our hearts. We don’t want to love you conventionally, politely, or with any reservation. We want to love you with consuming abandon, for you alone are worthy of our adoration, affection and total allegiance.

     We are worthy of you only because you have made us worthy. We take up our cross only because you carried our sin and guilt to your cross. So very Amen, we pray, in your majestic and beautiful name.

   

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