1 John 4:9-21 (NIV)
9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.
16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19We love because he first loved us.
20If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother
Prayer
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for our blindness, our brokenness, our harden heart towards you and others.
Open our eyes to see you and others
Open our heart to love you and others
Open our mouth to say the right words and reconcile with those we hurt
Fill us with courage to face those we hurt
Lead us towards healing, restoration, love and joy again with those we have conflict with.
May they be receptive towards us warmly welcome us back as their friend, brothers and sisters.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.