“Since you purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love to each other, from a pure heart, love one another constantly.” 1 Peter 1:22

Lord God, We live in a world that doesn’t know how to love, not purely, not selflessly. And I’m not much different. We love other people because of what we get from them. We love other people because of the way that this relationship benefits us. When it doesn't benefit us in some way, the relationship often quickly dissolves because it doesn’t serve my ends or my goals anymore. Lord God, if this was the way pure love was, would you love me? What in the world do you get out of me and out of a relationship with me? If I’m honest, Lord God, you get nothing from me but sin and rebellion. Lord God, but you love me anyway and have purified me by your son Jesus. Give me a heart of selfless, pure love for the people around me. Make me selfless in my love. Make my love for them enduring and never ending. By your love, inspire me to love them even when and especially when I get no love in return. This is how you loved me. Teach me to love you the same. Amen.