Lord, you tell us that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. You don’t tell us to love ourselves as that is a given. Because we love ourselves we pursue what we think will bless and benefit us. If we truly love our neighbors, then we would truly want what would bless and benefit them. We would see it as our responsibility to seek their good as much as our own.
Lord, we recognize that our neighbors are people who you put in our lives or even just in our paths for a moment. Help us to overcome our self-focus and be aware of the needs of others around us. May we learn to seek in every way the good of others and put their interests before our own.
Lord, make us aware of the need to use kind and encouraging words with others. Help us to see ways that we can build others up in a sincere and loving way. May we refrain from judgmental thoughts that will come out in the way we treat other people.
Lord, may we have compassion on others and their situations. May we be willing to share our lives and resources with those in need. May we show kindness towards those who are hurting. May we be sensitive to your Holy Spirit so we act in the best interest of others.
Lord, we also know that loving others means we share the truth with them that they need to hear. May we not shy away from speaking your truth when it is needed. May we recognize that sometimes what is best for people isn’t what they want. In that regard, may we always act in the interests of others and not our own.
Lord, open our eyes so we see and respond to others in love, in a way that honors and glorifies you. May we die to self and want to please you. May we truly consider the interests of others as much as our own. May we die to selfish ambition and vain conceit and come alive in you.