Loving Others as We Love Ourselves: Putting Feet on Our Prayers

Jesus called us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind—and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This love is not a passive feeling or distant hope. It is active. It moves. It gives. It forgives. Loving others isn’t simply about praying for their well-being, though prayer is powerful and necessary. It’s about letting our love walk off the pages of our prayers and into the streets of our daily lives.

True love shows up in how we treat people—in compassion, kindness, generosity, and grace. It’s about becoming the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world. Romans 12:10 reminds us: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Living with a Servant’s Heart: Daily Acts of Love

1. Start Each Day Asking God to Use You
   When we begin the day with a willing heart, God will open our eyes to the needs around us. Pray: “Lord, show me someone I can bless today.” Look for opportunities in your home, neighborhood, or workplace to encourage, uplift, or serve.
2. Practice Active Kindness
   Love isn’t always grand gestures—it’s often found in the small, unseen moments. A kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear, or even just a smile can change someone’s day. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…” (Galatians 6:10).
3. Be Quick to Forgive
   Holding on to offense hardens our hearts and distances us from the love we are called to share. Choose to forgive as God has forgiven you. “Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness frees both the giver and the receiver.
4. Give Without Expectation
   Whether it’s your time, attention, resources, or encouragement—give freely. Be generous with your blessings, knowing they were never meant to be hoarded. God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.
5. Lift Others Up With Your Words
   Your words have power. Use them to speak life, not judgment. Choose encouragement over criticism. Build bridges, not walls. “Let your conversation be always full of grace…” (Colossians 4:6).
6. Make Room for Others
   Loving others as ourselves means making space in our hearts and schedules for them. Invite someone for coffee, check in on a friend, or include someone who may be lonely. Hospitality is a powerful act of love.

Final Thought
Loving others isn’t always easy, but it is always right. We are never more like Christ than when we choose to serve, forgive, and love without condition. Let us be people who not only pray for others but who become the answer to those prayers by how we live.

Walk in love, act in grace, and serve with joy. As Romans 13:10 reminds us, “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Let’s not just talk about love. Let’s live it—boldly, compassionately, and daily.