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Intention

To love others the way Jesus loves us.

Scripture

“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

Reflection

When my son and I moved to the Central Coast, we found a wonderful church family — but many of my son’s friends from school had grown up in broken families that did not share the same values. He invited them to youth group and church, but they could not relate and walked away.

At times I worried that my son would do the same. I am ever grateful to the men in our church during that season who stepped up to come alongside my son and simply love him and his friends whenever they came to church with us.

We continued to love them and treat them as family over the years, without judging their lifestyle choices. As they were not comfortable in a church setting, we would have them over for a meal, say grace, remind them that they are loved by God, and pray with them for their needs and their families.

What they did not know was the time I spent with God, searching his heart for each and every one of them over many years. As in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, I would “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks”, for I knew this was the will of God in Christ Jesus for me.

I am eternally grateful for God’s wondrous love for me. I know that my mother’s faithful prayers on her knees brought all her children who had walked away back to Christ, as he pursued us and showered us with his incomprehensible love.

Spending time with our heavenly Father taught me to be as generous with my love for others as he was with me — especially for those he brings into my life, no matter how difficult it can be at times to love them and forgive them, over and over again.

In Matthew 18:21–22 we read: “Then Peter came to him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’”

This only truly made sense to me when I genuinely forgave them in my heart and mind. Forgiving them also meant letting go completely of what I perceived they had done wrong. This made it possible to trust them again — and often with far more the next time.

This brought joy and freedom not only to them, but to me as well. The love they received only made them want to do better, and they all affectionately call me “Mum”.

Now, fourteen years on, they have become responsible, working adults — some with families of their own who have enrolled or are enrolling their children in Christian and Catholic schools. We still have them over to share a meal as a family as often as we can, and on some occasions, we even share communion together.

What we did was simple: we prayed for them and loved them. I continue to pray that they will come to know God personally, and that they will discover the blessing of belonging to a church community — especially those with families, that they will begin bringing their children to church.

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Prayer

Lord, may those we pray for be awakened through dreams and visions of you that stir their hearts and minds to a holy restlessness — until they seek you and hear from you.

Give us the insight and discernment to recognise these dreams and visions, so that we can come alongside them and support them as they choose to draw closer to you. Watch over us as we walk with them through the journey of moving from leaning on their own understanding to learning to trust in you with all their heart.

Fill them with your love during this time, so they may know that you have not come to judge them, but to set them free — for we know that whoever the Son sets free is free indeed.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Author Bio

Anna Soh moved to the Central Coast, NSW, from Western Sydney with her son, Jonathan, after her husband passed in 2011. She took on the role of NSW Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer (NDOP) in 2023 and became the National Secretary of Australia Prays in 2025, which runs the NDOP — making this event a key focus of her life.

In 2026, the NDOP falls on 23 May, when thousands will gather across our nation to pray together in one accord. For more information, visit the Australia Prays website.

Anna is also one of the Prayer Strategy Coordinators for OneChurch Central Coast Carols in the Stadium and this year it will be held on Saturday, 19 December.

Prayer Points for Five4Five 2026

1. Five people to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20

2. Repentance, revival and reformation in Australia and for millions to believe in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47

3. A Church that grows in extravagant love for God and people. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

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