Matthew 5:41 – And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Lord Jesus, give me this kind of above and beyond kind of love. Give me a perfect heart of love like yours. I ask this because it is so hard for me to love like this. It is hard for me to take abuse, verbal or physical, and then take the next step and show them above and beyond love. It is hard for me to grasp the words of Paul to the Corinthians, “Why not rather be wronged?” This kind of love is hard. It’s hard to keep my mouth shut. It’s hard to keep my heart full of love. It’s hard to act in a loving way when my heart is so corrupt. Lord Jesus, first forgive me and cleanse me by your Spirit. Then, pour out your Spirit on me generously so that I might go the extra mile and show love to those who mistreat and abuse me whether with their words or actions. Help me to show this above and beyond kind of love. You’ve shown it to me. You went further than the extra mile. You went the cross only because of your love. By your love for me inspire me to love like this, to go the extra mile. Amen.