"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Dear heavenly Father, I get interested in pursuing many different things in life. I want more knowledge, better health, more wisdom, better living circumstances, a better job, more attention from others, less clutter, more freedom, -- all of these things beckon me. To focus on them threatens my happiness. But it is love that you want me to pursue more than anything else. You want me to love you and people with all my heart, soul, and mind. While I know I will never be perfect at this love, I do want to make it my aim. Because when I pursue loving you and others, that's when I feel my greatest worth, my most peaceful place and I experience joy that cannot be taken away by anyone. Help me to keep this aim - to love you and people faithfully the way you have loved me in your Son. Keep me from the viscous downward spiral of constantly thinking about how well I am loved or not loved by others and to persistently spiral up to loving people unconditionally. AMEN

"True value of a human being has little to do with his accomplishments and a lot to do with his maker's purpose."