A Prayer to Extend the Heart of Jesus
By Chelsey DeMatteis
Bible Reading
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” - John 4:26
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What is your favorite free gift to give? Mine is a smile, a spoken prayer, or a hug. These three acts have the ability to completely change someone’s day and show them that they are seen. I'll never forget the morning I had to run an errand; with minimal time, I was rushing through the office supply store. When I came from around the corner, I noticed an associate who had been crying. My pace slowed as the Holy Spirit stirred in my heart to go give her the greatest gift I could that morning, a spoken prayer with a reminder that God sees her.
I approached her and quietly asked if I could pray for her, and she accepted the invitation. Right there in the middle of the office supply aisle, heaven graced earth as we prayed together, asking God to intervene in whatever situation was at hand. We said amen, hugged for a quick moment, and went our separate ways. Though I've never seen her again, my prayer is that Jesus used that moment to draw her heart near, or perhaps it was used to reveal Himself to her for the first time.
I think of the way Jesus met the woman at the well. Though His moment at the well was incredibly different than mine in the aisle of the store, His heart for both women, the one at the well and the one in the aisle, was the same. He wanted to show His constant pursuit and desire of their hearts. Read John 4 with me...
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” the woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” John 4:16-26
Jesus extended this woman the greatest invitation: to know Him deeply and intimately, to experience true everlasting life and a life free from the bondage of this world. His kindness, faithfulness, and generosity were always evident, and they are still evident in His pursuits of our hearts today.
So, what will you offer to someone? How will you show the kindness, faithfulness, and generosity Jesus shows us? You can offer a hug to a stranger that looks like they’re hurting, it's not hard to notice a person that needs a reminder they’re not alone. You can offer someone a word of spoken prayer or show them the gift it is to be vulnerable with God when met with difficult situations. You can offer someone a smile as they walk past you at the grocery store; this quick exchange shows them that someone does see them.
Jesus showed us by the way He lived and loved that we have incredible gifts to offer, which cost us nothing but have eternal value. They offer someone a glimpse of Jesus—a glimpse of true hope, a glimpse of everlasting life, and a moment to see that they have eternal value in the eyes of their Creator.
Let’s Pray:
Jesus, thank you for the way you pursue my heart. What an amazing gift it is that I get to invite people into your presence. I pray for an opportunity to tell someone today how much you love them, see them, and value them. Make a way and make it clear. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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