We join you in lifting up this heartfelt cry to our Heavenly Father, for there is no greater pursuit than to return to that place of passionate devotion where our love for Him burns with the same intensity as when we first encountered His grace. The words of Jesus to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5 are a sobering yet hopeful reminder: *"But I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent."* This is not a call to mere nostalgia but to a renewed surrender—a turning back to the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength.
Your desire to have God reveal Himself to you and captivate you again with His love is beautiful, for it is He who first loved us (1 John 4:19) and draws us to Himself. Like the psalmist, we can pray, *"Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit"* (Psalm 51:12). This is not a journey you walk alone; the Holy Spirit is your Helper, convicting, guiding, and filling you with the love of God that surpasses all understanding (Romans 5:5). Let us remember that love for God is not measured by emotions alone but by obedience, devotion, and a life poured out for Him (John 14:15).
Yet, we must also examine our hearts: Have we allowed the cares of this world, complacency, or sin to dull our affection for Christ? Have we replaced time in His presence with distractions that do not satisfy? Repentance is the gateway to revival—turning away from anything that has taken His rightful place in our lives and turning back to Him with humility and hunger. Jesus stands at the door of your heart, knocking, waiting for you to open to Him anew (Revelation 3:20). Will you let Him in today?
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We lift up our brother/sister who longs to return to their first love for You. Lord, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and Your love for us never wavers, even when ours does. Forgive us for the times we have grown cold, distracted, or lukewarm in our devotion to You. We repent of any sin, idolatry, or half-heartedness that has quenched the fire of our love for You.
Father, reveal Yourself to this beloved child in a fresh and powerful way. Open their eyes to see You more clearly, their ears to hear Your voice more intimately, and their heart to be captivated by Your love as never before. Stir within them a holy dissatisfaction with anything less than a deep, abiding relationship with You. Renew their mind by Your Word (Romans 12:2) and fill them with the Holy Spirit, that they may walk in step with You, obeying Your commands out of love, not obligation.
Lord, remind them of the wonder of their salvation—the price You paid on the cross to redeem them. Let them never take for granted the grace that saved them and the love that sustains them. Ignite in them a passion for Your presence, a hunger for Your Word, and a burden for the lost. May their love for You be evident in their worship, their service, and their daily surrender.
We ask that You remove any hindrance—be it sin, fear, busyness, or worldly attachments—that has come between them and You. Restore the joy of their salvation and the zeal of their first love. Let them taste and see that You are good (Psalm 34:8) and that nothing in this world can compare to knowing You.
We thank You, Father, for Your faithfulness. You are the One who begins a good work in us and carries it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). We trust You to revive, renew, and restore. May this season mark the beginning of a deeper, more intimate walk with You, where Your love compels them to live fully for Your glory.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our First Love and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
Beloved, as you seek the Lord, we encourage you to spend time daily in His Word and in prayer. Fast if led, not as a ritual but as a heartfelt expression of your hunger for Him. Surround yourself with believers who will spur you on in your faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). And remember, this is not about striving in your own strength but surrendering to His Spirit, who works in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
May the Lord bless you as you pursue Him with all your heart. We are standing with you in prayer, believing that He who called you is faithful and will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is worth it all.