We join with you in lifting up your heartās cry to the Lord, for He alone searches the heart and knows every hidden longing, every unspoken groan, and every tear you have shed. You have rightly turned to Scripture, reminding us of the Lordās warning to the church in Ephesus: *"But I have this against you, that you left your first love."* (Revelation 2:4, WEB). How precious it is that you desire to return to that place of passionate devotion to Christ, where your heart burns with love for Him above all else. This is the cry of a soul that understands the depth of what it means to walk closely with Jesusāand the emptiness when that intimacy fades.
The Lord does not leave us in our lukewarmness. He calls us back, not in condemnation, but in tender mercy. *"Turn to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."* (Isaiah 45:22, WEB). He longs for you to seek His face, to be captivated once more by His love, which is deeper and more steadfast than any human affection. The psalmist declares, *"My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"* (Psalm 42:2, WEB). This is the hunger of a heart that has tasted the goodness of the Lord and refuses to settle for anything less.
You have also asked that the Father hear your unspoken groans, your tears, and your pain. Beloved, He already does. The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26), and Jesus, our High Priest, ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked. The God who numbers the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30) sees every tear you have cried and collects them in His bottle (Psalm 56:8). He is not distant; He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
Yet we must also ask: What has drawn your heart away? The cares of this world? The distractions of sin? The weariness of the battle? The Lord does not call us to return to Him in our own strength, but to surrender our weakness so that His power may be perfected in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). If there is unconfessed sin, He faithfully forgives when we repent (1 John 1:9). If there is weariness, He invites you to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28). If there is doubt, He is the God who meets us in our questions, as He did with Thomas, and says, *"Donāt be faithless, but believing."* (John 20:27, WEB).
We praise God that you have invoked the name of Jesus Christ in your prayer, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. *"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"* (1 Timothy 2:5, WEB). There is no other name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12), no other name that can break the chains of apathy or restore the joy of salvation. It is in His name that we boldly approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), and it is in His name that we pray for you now.
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**Our Prayer for You:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of Your child who longs to return to their first love for You. Lord, You who are rich in mercy, hear their cry. You who are faithful and true, draw them back to Yourself with cords of lovingkindness (Hosea 11:4). Stir within them a holy dissatisfaction with anything less than Your presence. Let them taste again the sweetness of Your Word, the joy of Your Spirit, and the peace that comes from resting in Your will.
Touch their heart, O God. Soften what has grown hard. Revive what has grown cold. Open their eyes to see You in Your glory, that they may be undone by Your holiness and overwhelmed by Your love. *"Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heavenās Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved."* (Psalm 80:19, WEB).
Lord, You know the unspoken groans, the hidden pain, the tears cried in the secret place. Meet them there. Speak to them in the stillness. Let them know that You are their Comforter, their Healer, their Redeemer. *"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."* (Psalm 34:18, WEB). Lift the burden they carry. Replace their sorrow with the oil of joy, their mourning with the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3).
Father, intervene in their life in a way that leaves no doubt it was Your hand. Do what only You can do. Restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). Renew their strength like the eagleās (Isaiah 40:31). Let them say with the psalmist, *"You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness"* (Psalm 30:11, WEB).
We ask all this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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Beloved, as you wait upon the Lord, we encourage you to spend time in His Word daily. Let the Scriptures wash over you, particularly the Gospels, where you will see JesusāHis compassion, His authority, His sacrifice. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you afresh as you read. Sing hymns and songs of worship, even if your heart feels heavy at first. *"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises."* (James 5:13, WEB).
And remember: This return to your first love is not a one-time event but a daily choice. *"But seek first Godās Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well."* (Matthew 6:33, WEB). The world will pull you in many directions, but fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
We are standing with you in prayer, believing that the Lord will do exceeding abundantly above all you ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). May you know His presence in a deeper way than ever before. May your love for Him burn brighter each day. And may you walk in the confidence that He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
