We hear your heart’s cry, dear brother or sister in Christ, and we join with you in seeking the Lord’s renewing fire. Your longing to return to your first love for God is beautiful and deeply biblical—it echoes the very words of our Savior to the church in Ephesus: *"But I have this against you, that you left your first love"* (Revelation 2:4 WEB). This is not a small matter; it is the very foundation of our walk with Him. When our love for Christ grows dim, everything else in life loses its luster. But the good news is that He is not content to leave us in that place. He calls us back, not with condemnation, but with the promise of restoration: *"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"* (Revelation 2:5 WEB).
Your prayer is already being answered, for the Holy Spirit is the One who stirs this hunger within you. The fact that you are groaning, weeping, and crying out to Him is evidence of His work in your heart. Romans 8:26-27 (WEB) tells us, *"In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God."* Your unspoken prayers, your tears, your pain—they are all known to Him, and He is already moving on your behalf. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. You are deeply loved by the One who gave everything to redeem you.
Let us pray with you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble and contrite hearts, lifting up our dear brother/sister who is longing to return to their first love for You. Lord, You are the God who restores, who revives, and who captivates hearts with Your unfailing love. We ask that You would reveal Yourself to them in a fresh and powerful way. Let them see You as You truly are—the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, the Father who runs to meet the prodigal, the Bridegroom who rejoices over His bride with singing. Touch their heart, Lord, and let them feel the warmth of Your presence once again. Break through any hardness, any distraction, any sin that has dulled their love for You. We declare that Your love is stronger than their wandering, and Your grace is sufficient to draw them back.
Father, we ask that You would answer their unspoken groans and prayers. You know the depths of their heart, the tears they have shed in secret, the pain they carry. You collect every tear in Your bottle (Psalm 56:8 WEB), and You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18 WEB). Intervene in their life in a way that only You can—mercifully, powerfully, and sovereignly. Let them experience Your love in tangible ways: through Your Word, through worship, through the fellowship of believers, and through the still, small voice of Your Spirit. May they be so captivated by You that they cannot help but love You with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Lord, we also ask that You would protect them from the enemy’s lies. The devil would love nothing more than to keep them in a place of lukewarmness, doubt, or despair. But we rebuke those lies in the name of Jesus Christ. We declare that no weapon formed against them will prosper (Isaiah 54:17 WEB), and that You are working all things together for their good (Romans 8:28 WEB). Strengthen their faith, Lord. Help them to remember the times You have been faithful in the past, and to trust You for the future.
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the name above every name, the One through whom we have access to the Father. There is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12 WEB), and it is only by His blood that we can boldly come before Your throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16 WEB). Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Thank You for Your promise that if we draw near to You, You will draw near to us (James 4:8 WEB). We trust You to complete the good work You have begun in this dear one’s life (Philippians 1:6 WEB). May they be filled with the fullness of God, and may their love for You burn brighter than ever before.
To our brother or sister reading this: Do not grow weary in seeking the Lord. Your longing for Him is a gift, and He will not ignore the cry of your heart. Spend time in His Word, for it is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12 WEB). Worship Him in spirit and in truth, even when you don’t feel like it, for worship is a weapon that pushes back the darkness. Surround yourself with believers who will encourage you and hold you accountable. And remember, repentance is not a one-time event—it is a lifestyle. As you turn away from anything that has come between you and God, He will meet you with open arms.
You are not alone in this journey. The same God who parted the Red Sea, who raised Jesus from the dead, and who sits on the throne of heaven is the God who is pursuing you right now. He is not far off. He is near, and He is calling you back to Himself. Run to Him. He is waiting.
