🔥1st Love Restored Rev 2:4, Mk 12:30-31 1 Cor 14:1, Extra Grace to Pray, Study, Worship, Make Disciples, "Do The Things We Did at First" Rev 2:5

[Nochaeld]

Restore Our 1st Love Rev 2:4, Mk 12:30-31, 1 Cor 14:1, Extra Grace to Pray, Study, Worship, Edify the Church, Share The Gospel, Make Disciples, "Do The Things We Did at First" Rev 2:5... Father, thank You for Your great love, for "We love because You first loved us," 1 Jn 4:19. We ask for a restoration of our first love, Rev 2:4. Help us "repent and do the things we did at first," Rev 2:5, i.e., when we were first saved [1]. Extra grace to pray (in The Holy Spirit) & study the Bible so we can learn His Word and extra grace to pray so we can share the Truth filled with "Power from on high," Acts 1:8, The Holy Spirit, His fruit, Gal 5:22-23, and gifts, 1 Cor 14:1-2, and holiness. Help us "Make Disciples, baptize (live) and teach obedience to all Christ taught, Matt 28:19-20. Protect us from distractions, sin and the evil one, Matt 6:13. Give extra grace and discipline to dig in deeply over this summer and throughout all our Lives. Let us "choose the best part "as Mary, who "listened to Jesus' Teaching in a posture of humility," Luke 10:40-41, which The Lord promised would not be taken away, Luke 10:42. Thank You so much for Your love, Holy is Your Name, in Jesus' Name.

"O Lord, please light the fire That once burned bright and clear Replace the lamp of my first love That burned with Holy Fear," in "O Lord, You're Beautiful," May 7, 1980.

[1] Oddly enough, the Ephesian Church Jesus addresses there has a historic precedent in Acts 19:1-5, After a slightly comical exchange between Paul and the "believers" at Ephesus, He asks them if they'd received the Holy Spirit when they came to faith. Their answer is "We haven't even heard The Holy Spirit exists!" They'd come to faith through Apollos who'd only been familiar with The Scriptures and the Baptism of John (The Baptist). After receiving the Baptism of The Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, (foundational teaching, Heb 6:1-2), the 12 all speak in tongues and prophesy! In Acts 19:8-12, after a time of battle over the Word of God in the Synagogue, Paul sets up "The School of Tyrannus," a seminary of sorts, and the revival there so mirrors the Early Church after The Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-6:7 in so many ways, it's noteworthy. They remained under the teaching of the Apostles, the Word spread, the church grew and extraordinary miracles confirmed the message of Jesus was The Word of God. Let us remember to "keep ourselves in the love of God by praying in The Holy Spirit which edifies us in our most holy faith," Jude 1:20-21. Let us express that love through prophecy (edifying, comforting, exhorting and sharing the testimony of Jesus), 1 Cor 14:1-3, Rev 19:10. This is an example (from Ephesus -- the church used by Jesus (hand picked) to tell us to return to our 1st love through by emulation of the works they did at first as we repent from anything we shouldn't be doing contrary to doing this as the best part, loving The LORD, our God, YHWH, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength -- and loving our neighbors as ourselves, Mk 12:30-31. May our love abound with all knowledge and true discernment so we may always see and choose the highest good, Phil 1:9-10. May God add blessing to His Word, in Jesus' Name, thank You and you all, Amen 2 Cor 1:20...

 

[Articles]

We hear your heartfelt cry for the restoration of that first, fervent love for our Lord, a love that once burned brightly, unquenched by the cares of this world. You are not alone in this longing. The church in Ephesus, though commended for its works, perseverance, and discernment, was rebuked by Christ Himself for leaving its first love (Revelation 2:4). This is a sobering reminder that even the most active and doctrinally sound among us can drift from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).

The remedy is clear: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first" (Revelation 2:5). This is not merely a call to nostalgia but to radical realignment with the priorities that marked our early walk with Christ, passionate prayer, unceasing study of His Word, wholehearted worship, and bold proclamation of the Gospel. The early church in Acts 2:42-47 modeled this beautifully: they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. Miracles followed, and the Lord added to their number daily. We must ask ourselves: Have we replaced intimacy with activity? Have we traded the fire of the Spirit for the ashes of routine?

The Scriptures you referenced, Mark 12:30-31 and 1 Corinthians 14:1, are foundational. To love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the greatest commandment, and to love our neighbor as ourselves is its natural outflow. Yet how can we love Him whom we do not know? This is why we must pursue Him through prayer and the study of His Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to ignite our hearts anew. The gift of prophecy, as Paul exhorts, should be earnestly desired (1 Corinthians 14:1) not for our own edification alone but for the building up of the body of Christ. Let us not neglect the Spirit’s work in our midst, for it is He who convicts, comforts, and empowers us to walk in holiness and truth.

We must also address the subtle dangers that threaten to extinguish this first love. Distractions abound, busyness, entertainment, the pursuit of worldly success, all of which can lull us into spiritual complacency. The evil one seeks to devour (1 Peter 5:8), and sin, if left unchecked, will harden our hearts (Hebrews 3:13). We must guard our hearts diligently (Proverbs 4:23) and flee from anything that draws us away from our first love. This includes not only overt sin but also the slow drift into lukewarmness, which the Lord finds repulsive (Revelation 3:16).

Let us also remember that our love for God is a response to His love for us (1 John 4:19). It is His grace that enables us to love Him and others. Therefore, we must depend on Him moment by moment, asking for the extra grace you mentioned to pray, study, worship, and make disciples. The "School of Tyrannus" in Ephesus (Acts 19:9-10) serves as a powerful example of what happens when believers devote themselves to learning and living out the Word of God. Revival followed, and the Gospel spread mightily. We must be willing to do the same, to sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary, choosing the "best part" (Luke 10:42), which will not be taken away from us.

We rebuke every spirit of apathy, distraction, and complacency that seeks to dim the fire of our first love. In the name of Jesus, we command these things to flee, for it is written, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). We also rebuke any works-based mentality that seeks to earn God’s favor through activity rather than resting in His grace. Our righteousness is found in Christ alone (Philippians 3:9), and it is from this place of security in His love that we serve Him.

Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble and contrite hearts, acknowledging that we have allowed other things to take the place of our first love for You. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have prioritized activity over intimacy, busyness over devotion, and the approval of men over the approval of God. Restore to us the joy of our salvation (Psalm 51:12) and renew a right spirit within us. Ignite in us a fresh passion for Your Word, a hunger for prayer, and a desire to worship You in spirit and in truth.

Lord, we ask for an outpouring of Your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may be filled afresh with His power and presence. Grant us the grace to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to study Your Word diligently (2 Timothy 2:15), and to walk in holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. May our lives be a living testimony of Your love and grace, drawing others to You.

Father, we also pray for protection from the distractions and temptations that seek to pull us away from You. Deliver us from the evil one and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Give us the discipline to choose the "best part" like Mary, sitting at Your feet and listening to Your voice. May we be like the church in Ephesus after they received the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophesying, and boldly proclaiming Your Gospel.

Lord, we long to see revival in our hearts, our families, our churches, and our nations. Pour out Your Spirit upon us, that we may be witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). May our love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9), so that we may discern what is best and live lives that are pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, for it is in His name that we have access to You, and it is through His blood that we are forgiven and made new. May Your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), guiding us back to the simplicity and purity of our first love. We thank You for Your faithfulness, even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13). May Your name be glorified in and through us, now and forevermore. Amen.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Windwold]

Praying for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[EnricoLange]

Father please help them, us and all in need. Thank you and praise you. In Jesus name. Amen

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying in Jesus Name.

 

[usha rani]

Praying in Jesus Name.