We Love because He First Loved Us

Day 30: We Love because He First Loved Us

30 October 2026

3.5 MINS

Intention

To renew our love for Jesus and let his love compel us to share the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture

“We love because he first loved us.”

– 1 John 4:19

Reflection

What if awakening is not something we have to wait for, but something we are called to live in?

Sometimes we pray for revival, longing for God to move, to awaken our hearts, and to transform our communities. But the story of awakening has already begun.

Jesus came because of his great love for us. He died on the cross, he rose again, and he poured out his Holy Spirit. The victory has been won, the way to the Father has been opened, and his Spirit is at work in us today. We can live awakened because of what Jesus has already done.

But to live awakened, we must continually return to our first love.

In Revelation 2:1–7, Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus. They were hardworking and persevering, yet they had forsaken their first love.

It is possible to be busy serving Jesus while slowly losing the wonder of knowing him. We can sing the songs, attend the gatherings, and serve in ministry without the fire that once burned within us.

Awakening begins when we remember the love that awakened our hearts in the first place.

And that love begins with Jesus. He loved us first. Before we ever reached for him, he reached for us. Mocked, spat on, brutally flogged, and nailed to a cross, he gave his life for us, not because we had earned his love, but because he loved us beyond measure.

This is the love we have received. This is the hope we carry. And this is the reason we cannot remain silent.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For Christ’s love compels us.” His love is not merely something we receive; it is something that moves us. When we truly grasp what Jesus has done for us, our hearts begin to beat for what his heart beats for: people who do not yet know him.

Jesus looked at the crowds and had compassion on them (Matthew 9:36). He saw people who were lost, searching, and in need of hope. And through the Holy Spirit, he empowers us to carry that same love into our everyday lives. How can we keep this hope to ourselves when there are people around us who desperately need it?

This mission is not reserved for a few gifted evangelists. It belongs to every follower of Jesus (Matthew 28:19). We don’t need perfect words, all the answers, or a platform. We need hearts surrendered to him and the courage to take the next step.

We are awakened by his love, empowered by his Spirit, and sent on his mission.

Take a moment to ask:

  • Jesus, have I lost the wonder of your love? Return to the cross. Remember his sacrifice, celebrate his resurrection, and invite the Holy Spirit to renew your heart.
  • Who needs to hear about this love through me? Think of one person who doesn’t know Jesus. Pray for them, start a conversation, share your testimony, or invite them to experience the hope you have found in Christ.

Don’t wait for a special moment, a perfect atmosphere, or a future revival before you make a commitment to share the gospel regularly.

Start today. One prayer, one conversation, one act of love at a time.

Video

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for loving me first. Thank you for the cross, where you gave your life for me, and for the resurrection, through which you defeated death and opened the way to new life. Thank you for pouring out your Holy Spirit and making your presence known among us.

Awaken my heart again. Let me never take your sacrifice for granted. Fill me afresh with your Spirit and let your love compel me.

Give me your compassion for those who do not know you. Open my eyes to the people around me and give me courage to share the gospel. Show me whom I should pray for, speak to, and reach out to today.

Amen.

Author BioWerner Nachtigal

Werner Nachtigal is a passionate evangelist who has organised many evangelistic events throughout the world to reach people with the gospel of Christ. He is the International President of Global Outreach Day and the GO Movement.

Prayer Points for October 2026

We are praying for the Church to:

  1. Awaken to her first love for Jesus (Ephesians 5:14; Revelation 2:4).
  2. Awaken to evangelism so that millions will trust in Christ (John 3:16; Proverbs 11:30).
  3. Awaken to her prophetic voice to the nation (Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 14:4).

We invite you to support this campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to faith in Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

 

Sign up to receive daily devotions during October in your inbox (and find extra info) here.

 

Join Us for Our Nightly Zoom Prayer Call:

DATES: Every night from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31 October

TIME: 8 pm AEDT; 7:30 pm SA; 7 pm QLD; 6:30 pm NT; 5 pm WA

ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184

ZOOM TUTORIAL: youtube.com/watch?v=pAMDxH_H_Cs

 

View all October 2026 Awaken devotionals

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

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