Sabbath, July 3, is an opportunity to come together as a worldwide church family in a very special way. Under the guidance of the Revival and Reformation committee, the first Sabbath of each quarter has been set aside as a special day for fasting and prayer. Each of these Sabbaths has a special theme, and the theme for the third quarter is: "Praying for a Heart Like Jesus as We Seek to Love a Broken World."
Nowhere do we see more clearly the love Jesus had for this broken world than in the book of John, chapter 13. Here, as Jesus is nearing the end of His earthly life, and we read in verse 1: "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end."
In spite of their frailties, in spite of their doubts, He loved them to the end—even Judas. Jesus only had love in his heart for His betrayer and did everything He possibly could to save him. That same love that Jesus had for His betrayer, He longed for His disciples to have for one another, and for us to have as well. He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34, 35).
This love does not come naturally. With our own human hearts, it is far easier to love those who are good to us, and to hate our enemies. But praise the Lord, as it says in 1 John 3:20: "God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." When we surrender our hearts to Him, He transforms us so we love like He loves--longing for the salvation of all, and loving them "to the end."
Join the world church this Sabbath in this special day of fasting and prayer, as we seek to become more like Jesus and to carry out the mission He has given to each of us.
Many inspiring, helpful materials have been prepared to help guide you as you participate in this special day. They are available for free download now at: revivalandreformation.org.
May God bless us as we come together in prayer and fasting, seeking His will and His transforming love so that we will, indeed, have a heart like Jesus to win the world for Him.
