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“Jesus answered, ‘The first is… The second is this…’”  (Mark 12:29-31)

As we continue our travel through Mark's Gospel, we come to these clear and challenging words from Jesus. As we prepare for our week of Prayer and Fasting (12-18 July), these verses invite us to focus on what matters most. Who among us would say we have mastered these commands? They are not suggestions; they form the heart of discipleship.

To help us engage with them during the week, consider these simple practices:

  • Each morning, ask God to help you love Him more fully with your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
  • Look for one practical way to love your neighbour as yourself each day.
  • Each evening, reflect on how you showed love for God and others, and where you struggled.

Prayer and fasting are ways of moving beyond our typical routines and comforts. They are ways of saying:

  • Jesus, I love You more than my comfort.
  • Jesus, I desire Your presence more than physical satisfaction.
  • Jesus, I rely on You more than my own understanding.

Discipleship always comes with a cost. Following Jesus requires surrender, obedience, and trust. Yet we do not follow this path alone. God's grace strengthens us, guides us, and helps us grow in love and faithfulness.

The first task is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Easier said than done. It takes a lifetime of learning to put God first and keep Him at the centre of our lives.

The second task is to love our neighbour as ourselves. We often find both parts difficult. Some struggle to love others well; others struggle to receive God's love for themselves. I recently heard someone say, "It's easy to pray for other people. I don't know how to pray for myself."

Biblical self-love is not selfishness. It is recognising that we are loved by God and created in His image. Caring for ourselves means receiving God's grace, seeking His healing, and asking for His wisdom and strength. A simple prayer might be: "Lord, help me to see myself as You see me. Give me Your grace to grow and the fortitude to love others as I am loved by You."

These commands are simple to understand but take a lifetime to live out. Every day we are invited to grow deeper in our love for God and wider in our love for people. Every day we are invited to take another step of obedience and follow Jesus more closely.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, if not for Your Grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we would grow weary. So, we thank You for sustaining us. Amen.