March 29, 2025 - Hosea‬ ‭6‬:‭6

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 ESV

Lord, forgive us for how often we get this wrong. We need to make sure that we are not just performing rituals - such as going to church, having a quiet time, reading our Bible, giving in the offering, praying before a meal – as things we just check off a list of to-do’s to earn your love and salvation. None of those things are bad, they are all very good, but they must be done out of love and pursuing a relationship with you. You long for us to love you with all our hearts. A steadfast love is unwavering. We don’t want a love that comes and goes. Help us love you wholeheartedly with all that we are. We want our love for you to draw us into your Word and into church so we can learn more about you. We want to worship you so that we can bask in your presence. We want to give to you because you are worthy. We want to make time for you throughout our day, because we can’t live without you. Give us a greater hunger to know you more. Open our hearts and minds to understand you and your ways more and more. Give us a greater understanding of your love for us so our love for you grows. Take us deeper in our relationship with you than we have ever been. We thank you for your desire to do all these things in our lives. We praise you for how you pursue us so that you can pour your love out over us. You are such an amazing God!

In Jesus name, amen.