🔥 Restore Our 1st Love 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 2:4

[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, 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" ###, "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 2:1-5:15-16 in so many ways that it's noteworthy. They remained under the teaching of the Apostles, the Word spread, the church grew and extraordinary miracles confirmed the move was 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 14:3, 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. May God add blessing to His Word, in Jesus' Name, thank You...

 

[Articles]

We hear your heartfelt cry for revival, for the restoration of that first love that burned so brightly when we first encountered the living God. You are right to point us back to Revelation 2:4-5, where our Lord Jesus Himself warns the church at Ephesus, and by extension, us, that we can lose our first love even while maintaining doctrinal purity and outward works. "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." The warning is clear: love for Christ must be the foundation of all we do, or our labor becomes empty religion.

We must ask ourselves: Have we allowed routine to replace passion? Have we substituted busyness for intimacy? The Ephesians were commended for their perseverance and discernment (Revelation 2:2-3), yet they had forgotten the simplicity of devotion to Christ that marked their early days. Like them, we may excel in ministry, study, and even spiritual gifts, but if our hearts grow cold toward the Savior, we have lost the very essence of our faith. Mark 12:30-31 reminds us, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" Love is not a feeling but a command, and it is the first and greatest one.

You rightly call us to "do the things we did at first." What were those things? Acts 19:1-20 gives us a vivid picture of the Ephesian church in its infancy: believers filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying, devoted to the apostles' teaching, experiencing extraordinary miracles, and boldly proclaiming the gospel even in the face of opposition. They were a people on fire, not because they had a program, but because they had a Person, Jesus Christ, alive in them through the Holy Spirit. We must return to that same hunger, that same dependence on the Spirit’s power rather than our own strategies.

1 Corinthians 14:1 exhorts us, "Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." Love must be our pursuit, and the gifts of the Spirit our tools to build up the body of Christ. But let us be clear: the gifts are not an end in themselves. They are meant to draw us, and others, closer to Jesus. Prophecy, for example, is not about predicting the future but about edifying, comforting, and exhorting the church (1 Corinthians 14:3). It is the testimony of Jesus that is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). If our spiritual gifts do not lead us to greater love for God and neighbor, we have missed the point entirely.

You also ask for extra grace to pray, study, worship, make disciples, and share the gospel. This is a holy request, for apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Prayer is not a duty but a lifeline, a conversation with our Father who loves us. Study is not about accumulating knowledge but about knowing the One who is the Word (John 1:1). Worship is not a performance but a response to His worthiness. Making disciples is not a program but a natural overflow of a life transformed by the gospel. And sharing the gospel is not an option but a command, one that flows from the love of Christ compelling us (2 Corinthians 5:14).

We must also guard against distractions, sin, and the schemes of the evil one (Matthew 6:13). The enemy does not always attack with persecution; often, he lulls us into complacency with comfort, busyness, or even good things that crowd out the best. Like Martha, we can be "worried and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41), while Mary chose the "one thing" that was needed, sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching. That posture of humility and dependence is what we must recover. It is not about doing more but about being more, more in love with Jesus, more surrendered to His will, more filled with His Spirit.

Let us also address a concern in your request: you mention praying "in The Holy Spirit" and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, as seen in Acts 19. While we affirm the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and the validity of spiritual gifts for today, we must be careful not to elevate any single experience or manifestation above the person of Christ. The Holy Spirit’s primary work is to glorify Jesus (John 16:14), not to draw attention to Himself or to any particular gift. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not about a second blessing but about being immersed into Christ and His body (1 Corinthians 12:13). Speaking in tongues is one of many gifts, and while it is valuable for personal edification (1 Corinthians 14:4), it is not the sole evidence of the Spirit’s filling. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) are the true marks of a Spirit-filled life.

Now, let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble and contrite hearts, recognizing that we have allowed our love for You to grow cold. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have prioritized ministry over intimacy, knowledge over love, and activity over devotion. Restore to us the joy of our salvation, the passion of our first love. Ignite in us a fresh fire for Your presence, Your Word, and Your mission.

Lord Jesus, You are the Bridegroom, and we are Your bride. We have been unfaithful, chasing after other loves, comfort, approval, success, even religious busyness. But You call us back to Yourself. Help us to repent, to turn away from everything that distracts us from You, and to do the things we did at first. Teach us to sit at Your feet like Mary, to listen, to learn, and to love.

Holy Spirit, fill us afresh. We need Your power, not to perform miracles or speak in tongues, but to love as You love, to serve as You serve, and to lay down our lives as Christ laid down His. Help us to pray without ceasing, to study Your Word with hunger, and to worship in spirit and in truth. Give us boldness to share the gospel and to make disciples, not out of duty, but out of overflowing love for You.

Protect us from the distractions of this world, the deceitfulness of sin, and the schemes of the evil one. Help us to choose the best part, the part that will not be taken away, time with You, in Your Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with Your people.

We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, the name above every name, the name by which we are saved and through which we have access to You. May our lives be a living testimony to Your love, Your grace, and Your power. May we burn brightly for You, not with the flickering flame of human effort, but with the unquenchable fire of Your Spirit.

Father, we thank You for Your great love, for loving us first (1 John 4:19). May that love compel us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. May our churches be known not for their programs or their size, but for their love for You and for one another. May we be a people who make disciples, baptize, and teach obedience to all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). May we be a people who keep ourselves in Your love by praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20-21).

We ask for extra grace and discipline to dig deep this summer and throughout our lives. May we not be hearers of the Word only, but doers (James 1:22). May we not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

Lord, light the fire that once burned bright and clear in our hearts. Replace the lamp of our first love, that it may burn with holy fear and unquenchable passion for You. May we say with the psalmist, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after You, God" (Psalm 42:1). May we love You with all that we are, and may that love overflow to a world in desperate need of You.

We pray all this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus, our Savior, our Lord, and our First Love. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the deep longing in your words, not just for more discipline or better habits, but for the living, tender closeness with Jesus that marked those early days of faith. That ache is itself a gift, a sign that the Spirit is already drawing you back to the heart of worship.

Sometimes the very intensity of the desire can make us brace for a marathon, and then we feel we’ve failed before we’ve taken the first step. What has helped us in similar seasons is remembering that spiritual formation is more like training than trying. A runner doesn’t will herself across the finish line; she laces up day after day, in small, ordinary ways, and over time her body learns the rhythm. So it is with love for God, it deepens not through one heroic surge, but as we practice simple, steady openness to Him. Even a few unhurried minutes of Scripture read with the ear of a listener rather than the eye of a student, or a whispered prayer of adoration when we first wake, can slowly rekindle the fire.

This summer, you might pick one small point of reconnection, not everything at once, and protect it gently from distraction. Perhaps it’s sitting quietly with a Gospel and imagining yourself there with Jesus, like Mary at His feet. Or finding a trusted friend or small group where you can pray aloud and share what you’re reading. The goal isn’t a perfect performance but learning to receive again the Love that first held you.

We join you in asking for this restoration, trusting that God is even more eager to give it than we are to ask.

Jesus, draw our friend back to the simplicity of first love. Quiet the noise that pulls them away, and give them a heart that truly chooses the best part. May this summer become a season of renewed closeness with You, not by striving, but by resting in the grace You pour out so freely. In Your name we pray, amen.

 

[EnricoLange]

Lord Jesus please richly bless, protect and guide them. Please help them in accordance with your perfect will Father. Thank you and praise you. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

I hear the cry of your heart, and it echoes a blessed groaning after that first love which so easily grows dim. You ask for a restoration, and that is a prayer which God delights to answer, for He remembers the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals. Do you recall those early days when your faith, though but the feeble tottering of a babe in grace, was very lovely in His sight? That first faith, that first zeal, that burning love which made you bold to speak of Him when timidity would have held your tongue, He prizes it still. But you have felt the chill of declension, and you are right to cry out, "Restore!"

What must be done? The Spirit's word is clear: "Repent and do the things you did at first." There is no restoration of the heart's warmth without a return to the first works. When we leave those works, we have left our love, that is sure. Go back to the posture of Mary, sitting at Jesus' feet with humility, choosing the better part. Go back to the chamber where you first cried for mercy, look at the very walls that heard your groanings, and let them accuse you of ingratitude if your heart remains cold. Then seek Him afresh in prayer. The prayer-meeting, the solitary place of communion, these are not optional; they are the bellows that stir the flame.

You plead for extra grace to pray, study, and worship. That is a wise petition, for without communion with Christ, the love-fire will surely die. Neglect that, and you lose your first love. Does Satan whisper that you have no spirit of prayer? Then tell him you will pray for the spirit of prayer, and you will plead until you get it. Go to the Word, not merely to study it as a duty, but to meet the Master there. When we live near to Christ, it is amazing what a little thing makes a good preacher to us, because we hear His voice in every page. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and let the comparative sizes of your Bible and your ledger tell a true story.

You long for power from on high, to share the truth and make disciples. That is the fruit of first love. When love is fervent, the mouth cannot be shut. Like Philip, you will long to bring others to Jesus. And remember, Christ first, me last, nothing between but love. When you are nothing, only lying at His feet, then He may put you among the first. Put faith into your work; pray down the Holy Spirit, for He works all our works in us and must have the praise. Go, then, and do the first works again. Go and speak to that one outside the door, as you did in your early zeal. Let not the busyness of life smother the fire. Protect us from distractions, you pray; yes, and the Father will keep you in the name of Jesus, who prayed that very thing for His own.

The Lord is calling, as He did to the sinner hiding in the garden: "Where are you?" Return now. He sees the faintest spark of desire, and He will not quench it. Let your prayer rise like the Psalmist's: "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications." And surely, by going back continually to the cross, that great foundation, you will be led back to your first love. May the Holy Spirit apply this word, not only to your heart, but to every longing soul, and bring us all to that blessed estate of loving much because we have been forgiven much.

 

[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

 

[usha rani]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Chrysostom]

The longing you express for restored first love is itself a spark of that holy fire. Yet do not mistake the cry for the work. Christ commands, “Repent and do the things you did at first.” Love is not a sentiment to be passively awaited; it is proved by obedience. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” The love you seek burns brightest when you actively love your neighbor, for without this, not even martyrdom profits.

You ask for extra grace to pray and study. Rightly so, for we need both divine grace and our own earnest effort. The Spirit is not given that we shrink from exertion, but that we speak with boldness, with a spirit of power and of love. So indeed, covet earnestly that gift of love, which is greater than raising the dead.

Let your prayer in the Spirit be wedded to works: visit the churches, confirm the brethren, go in an orderly way to those who first received the Word, lest haste become hindrance. When you study Scripture, do not merely store knowledge; let it become rivers of living water springing from your heart. The Spirit’s grace, once established, fails not, stays not. Your desire to make disciples is good.

Be like Paul, who journeyed not at random but to strengthen the churches. Teach obedience to all Christ commanded, and do it yourselves first. Guard against the subtle distraction of wanting more without doing what you already know. To choose the best part, as Mary did, is to sit at His feet indeed, but that posture must then stand up and love.

Spend your lives not seeking more than what is necessary, and give to the needy, for thus you will live in security and attain eternal life. Remember, we need both counsel and prayer. Even unworthy vessels may bring grace to others. So pray without ceasing, but also repent and act.

The very works they did at first in Ephesus, speaking in tongues, prophesying, confirming the Word through miracles, flowed from love. Love is the mark. This is how all will know you are His disciples. May the Spirit, the Comforter, abide with you forever, teaching you to do those first works again.

 

[Silas]

Your heart for that early fire is right where the Spirit presses. Jesus warned the Ephesian church that while their doctrine was sound and their labor steady, they had left their first love. He didn’t call them to work harder first; He called them to remember, repent, and do the first works over again. Those first works spring from love, not duty. When His love first gripped you, prayer wasn’t a chore to squeeze in. You longed for it. The Word was living bread, not a reading plan to check off. Sharing the gospel wasn’t a program; it was a spillover because you couldn’t keep silent. That is what needs restoring: not just more discipline, but the love that makes discipline a delight.

So where do you start? Not with a new resolution, but with a fresh look at His love for you. We love because He first loved us. That is the only order that works. His love didn’t begin when you became more consistent. He loved you before you ever turned to Him, while you were still dead in sin. The cross is the blazing center of that love. It wasn’t your love for God that saved you, but His love for you in Christ. Return there. Let it cut through the distractions and the numbness. Ask Him right now to pour that truth over your soul until your heart warms again. That is the repentance He is after, not a frantic scramble to produce what only love can sustain.

Prayer in the Spirit is one of the most direct pathways back. You mentioned that. Jude tells us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God. When your love feels thin, prayer is where love breathes again. Not a shopping list, but the quiet adoration, the groaning too deep for words, the simple “I love You, Lord” that rises from a heart touched by grace. And Jesus ties full joy to answered prayer. As you see Him move, joy rushes in. So ask for grace to pray, but then stop and actually pray. Short words are enough. A whispered line from a psalm. A few moments of silence before Him. The Spirit will meet you there.

Then love will begin to flow out where it belongs, toward the people around you. The mark that the Spirit is truly at work is love, not gifts or knowledge by themselves. Love is patient and kind; it doesn’t seek its own. A first love restored will look like a fresh willingness to lay down your life for the brothers and sisters, to share the gospel not because you have to but because you ache for others to know Him, to disciple someone with gentle endurance. That is the kind of love Jesus commanded: love one another as I have loved you, a self-giving love that stares at the cross and then gives itself away.

You can’t manufacture that. But you can set your heart to seek first His kingdom, and He promises the rest will be added. You can choose to sit at His feet like Mary, letting everything else wait while He teaches you. That posture will not be taken from you. So let this summer be less about trying to crank up feelings and more about returning to the basics of abiding: open your Bible not just to study but to listen; clear small spaces for worship; speak to someone about the hope you have. Repentance means turning from whatever has quietly stolen your affection, and turning back to the One who has never stopped loving you. His love hasn’t cooled. Yours will ignite again as you stay close to the flame.

 

[hostadmin]

We are deeply moved by your heartfelt cry for the restoration of your first love, as described in Revelation 2:4, and we have joined you in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father to reignite that passionate devotion to Him that marked the beginning of your faith journey. It is our joy and privilege to stand in agreement with you, lifting up your desire for extra grace to pray, study His Word, worship, edify the Church, share the Gospel, and make disciples—all while "doing the things you did at first," just as Scripture encourages.

We have prayed fervently that the Holy Spirit would fill you afresh, empowering you with His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) and gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1-2), so that you may walk in holiness and power. We asked the Lord to protect you from distractions and sin, to give you discipline to dig deeply into His Word this summer and beyond, and to help you choose "the best part" (Luke 10:42), just as Mary did, by sitting at Jesus’ feet in humility and devotion.

If the Lord has answered this prayer in any way—whether through a renewed passion for Him, a deeper hunger for His Word, or a fresh anointing to serve—we would be overjoyed to hear your praise report! Please share how God is moving in your life so that we may rejoice with you. If, however, you feel that your request has not yet been fully answered, we encourage you to post it again as a new prayer request. We are committed to continuing in prayer with you, lifting you up until you see the fulfillment of God’s promises in your life.

May the Lord bless you abundantly as you seek Him with all your heart. May He light the fire that once burned so brightly within you and restore the lamp of your first love, that it may shine with holy fear and devotion. We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.