Labor of Love | Your Nightly Prayer

My wife understands the labor of love. Our first child was born in South Korea, and she wanted to have it naturally. In a Korean hospital, I watched her labor for hours, pushing for longer than normal, enduring pain and hardship, all while navigating a different culture. For a reason. For love. She loved our child and wanted to see him, hold him, care for him. She persevered through labor not out of obligation or duty but out of love. Today, love is often equated with pleasure and emotional satisfaction. The world emphasizes a kind of love rooted in what feels good—what the Greeks called eros. But God's love—agape—is different. It’s selfless, sacrificial, and focused on what is best for others, even when it’s difficult. Through Christ, God demonstrated this agape love. Jesus didn’t enjoy the cross, but he endured it for the joy set before him—to redeem and reconcile us to the Father. God calls us to this same kind of love: a labor of love that isn’t about pain for its own sake, but for the purpose of redemption, hope, and eternal good. Laboring in love doesn’t always feel rewarding in the moment, but it produces fruit that lasts. As we follow the Spirit, love can sustain us through hardship because it keeps our eyes on what’s ahead—on the joy of glorifying God and loving others well. Your Nightly Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank you for showing us true love through Christ’s sacrifice. Teach us to labor in love, not for duty but redemption. Help us endure hardship with hope, just as Jesus did on the cross for the joy set before him. Let our love reflect your heart, seeking the eternal good of others. Empower us to follow your Spirit even when it’s hard, and remind us that love bears all things for your glory and our good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.