Sunday Prayer | The Sun Shines After the Rain

It is challenging to cultivate an attitude of gratitdue in a world crying in discord, screaming in anguish, and burning with rage. Amid the divisive vitrol spewing forth from every crack and crevice of society, you might lose sight of anything good or positive in the world.

My mom has a saying she imparts anytime one of her relatives or friends falls into the trap of “woe is me, all is lost.” She gently reminds those she loves that the sunshine comes after the rain.

One way to develop an attitude of gratitude is to sacrifice for the benefit of someone else. We can certainly do something for the benefit of someone we love, but also, for someone we might not particularly like.

We readily proclaim that love trumps hate. Well, authentic love calls for sacrifice. Demonstrating love through sacrifice means giving way to our own interests. Letting go of self momentarily, we do something for someone else. We do this not for ourselves, or for any benefit of our own, but simply as an act of love toward someone else.

Sacrificial living showers blessings on those God has put in our sphere of influence. Those in our circle of influence are the people the Lord has called us to shepherd and to shower with the love of Jesus Christ. How can you sacrificially love someone else today?

While there is much we do not control in this world, including the roaring rhetoric threatening to drown us all, we can choose how we live out our witness by demonstrating love, kindnesss, generosity, and faithfulness.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, hallowed be Your mighty Name. Help us give of ourselves for the benefit of others, preparing a glad harvest of souls through loving sacrifice. As You loved us, let us love those You have placed in our sphere of influence. Let us care for those who You have drawn into our circle of accountability. Open our eyes to the needs of others. Turn our eyes off ourselves and direct them to those for whom we can make a difference so that they see the Gospel lived out by us in their lives. God, thank You for Your abundant mercy and ceaseless grace. Thanking You for sacrificing Your Son, Jesus, while we were yet sinners, so that all who believe in Him would experience eternal life. Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Blessings,
The Devotional Guy™

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