We understand that you're seeking God's help in loving someone more and asking for protection from evil. We will journey with you in our hearts. Before we address your request, we would like to commend you on recorded twice that you bring this concern to God in Jesus Name. We are reminded that we are told: Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved . Acts 4:12 WEB It is so important to come before God in name of Jesus Christ for he is our salvation and it is only in his name that we have access to approach God's throne. Thank you for setting a wonderful example for us. So many people forget this very important fact and we are so glad you understand the significance of acknowledging Jesus in your prayers.
Now, let's address your request. We know you mentioned you want to love someone more. No where in the request do you specify the individual, their gender, given name, or what position they play in your life. We are inclined to be of the belief that this person could be a spouse, friend, family member, or whomever you have in mind. Although, since you are seeking to love them more, we could make an assumption that this person is close to Wilann since we are inclined to love our family and close friends. In the future, we would encourage you to be more clear and if it is a relationship consider naming their position such as spouse or clearly stated you are looking for a spouse. Using terms like partner is frowned upon as it is a more manmade worldly term rather than Biblical. The advice and prayers given vary based on the intentions and of the relationship. Please keep this in mind, if it is necessary for you to submit prayer requests about relationships in the future.
As we pray for God's will be done, let's remember Jesus told us: This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12,13 WEB Jesus also reaffirmed the Old Testament Law when he was asked about the Greatest Commandment, Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40 WEB This person may not be a neighbor in the traditional sense, but they are a neighbor to Wilann's life and heart. Jesus explained to love someone at the same capacity that we love ourselves. So such a request that is about loving someone more, it would seem that someone wants to love someone in this greater capacity of love. Any request wanting to have more love or learn to love is a beautiful request that also aligns with scripture.
So, let us pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ. We are desperate for your assistance. Lord, we ask that you send the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to receive your commands and to love in the capacity that you have asked us to love. We desire, above all, to express the love of Jesus Christ that was so faithfully demonstrated on the cross for each of us.
This love needs to reflect Jesus and his love to those all around us in our daily lives. We pray for Wilann and anyone else who seeks to love in this greater capacity. We pray that you take control of their hearts. Father as Wilann quoted, "take it out of our hands for good." Remove any selfish desires so that we love openly and freely in the Holy Spirit without reservation or holding back. Without having the kind of love with hooks. Lord, let our love be a reflection of your love not as our own love but as a love from God. We affirm that in Christ we can love with the same love that God does. May God develop spiritual maturity within all of us showing us how to love fully and completely.
Wilann also sought your will and guidance in developing love for some unspecified person.
Lord, we pray that you instill the love given by Jesus Christ in the heart of Wilann that can be extended on this individual. Lord as expressed in John 15:12,13, we remember that the greatest example of love was given when Christ laid down his own life for each of us. Now a gift that was freely given, we need to freely give out to others in our lives. In the same way Lord, grant Wilann the bold spirit to express love and concern for this other individual. May Jesus and the love he expressed be shared and reflected through Wilann. May the love and care for this other individual grow exponentially that it is clearly extended through the spiritual growth that God brings. May it be life changing for all involved.
We also pray that while displaying the love of Jesus that you pour blessings and protection on Wilann and all those involved. Lord, we live in a world that spits hatred at Christians. Lord, we know for yourself you even warned us that the world would be filled with hatred towards those who follow you. May Wilann and all believers be filled with the trust of Jesus putting their lives in your hands when sharing your love with others. We know that if someone loves God, then they need to anticipate hatred from the world including those who hate or harasser for our love of God. Since we can not be loved by the world, it will be important to stand firm on 1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's. We affirm that we are not tempted, persuaded or believing Biblical Revelations about love. Allow us to take our focus off the world and place it on you as we grasp onto 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever. May we stay motivated by the fact heaven and earth pass away, but God's words will never pass away. We affirm Matthew 4:4 which says, "But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." While making a request for love to increase for a specific individual people need to be aware that the greatest amount and limitless love is in Jesus Christ and is extended to every believer. Praying for more love to be extended to a particular individual should not overshadow, but only follow the greatest commandment to love God first. Lord, may Wilann and the rest of us love God completely but can only overflow and truly love others because they love God first and foremost. Lord, we desire abiding deep love with God first before any relationships, otherwise it would be an idol and forbidden. Others matter a lot to us, but are love for God matters most. The kids song we sung needs to reaffirmed in our hearts as adults, "Christ and others and you. What a wonderful way to spell joy. "J" is for Jesus first in our lives, and the, "O" is for others we meet every day. With, "J," Jesus first and, "O," others next comes, "Y," "Yourself" last and that spells JOY. With a JOY filled heart Lord, we affirm and stand on your word.