Praying Through God's Word: 1 John

1:1-2:17

We thank You, Lord, that Your Son, "Jesus Christ" died "for our sins" (1 John 2:1-2). This is Good News. It's great news! It's the best news we could ever hear - and it comes from You. What love You have for us. Help us not to keep this love to ourselves. Help us to share the Good News - "the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

2:18-3:18

We thank You, Lord, for Your gift of "eternal life" (1 John 2:24-25). Our enjoyment of eternal life has already begun - "We are God's children now." Our full enjoyment of eternal life is still to come - "It does not yet appear what we shall be" (1 John 3:2). Here-and-now, help us to experience Christ's victory: "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). Help us to look beyond the here-and-now, to look ahead to our full enjoyment of Christ's victory - "When He appears, we shall be like Him" (1 John 3:2).

3:19-4:21

"God is greater than our hearts" (1 John 3:20). When, Lord, we are deeply aware of our own sinfulness, help us to remember that You love us. You know the truth about us - "The heart is deceitful, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). You know everything about us - and You keep on loving us. We see how much You love us when we look at Jesus, crucified for us (Romans 5:8).

5:1-21

What great blessings You have given to us! You have brought us into Your family: "Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God" (1 John 5:1). You lead us in the way of victory: "Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:5). When we forget what You have done for us, what You are still doing for us, help us to remember Jesus. Help us to remember that He is our Saviour. He has saved us - and He is leading us on into a closer walk with You. Thank You, Lord.