A Prayer to Open Our Hearts and Homes to Others

Hospitality is more than offering a meal or inviting someone into our home—it is a powerful witness to the love of Christ. Augustine’s journey toward faith began not with an argument, but with the gracious welcome of Bishop Ambrose, whose kindness opened the door for Augustine to encounter the truth of the gospel. Scripture reminds us that our lives testify to Christ just as much as our words do. When we walk in wisdom toward outsiders, extend grace, and make the best use of every moment (Colossians 4:5–6), God often uses our ordinary acts of love to draw others to Himself. Today, we are invited to imitate Christ’s hospitality by welcoming, serving, and loving those around us in His name.

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Main Takeaways

• You’ll learn how hospitality can serve as a powerful form of evangelism.

• Discover how Augustine’s relationship with Ambrose illustrates the impact of gracious, Christlike living.

• Understand Paul’s call to walk wisely toward outsiders and speak with grace.

• Reflect on how daily interactions create opportunities to demonstrate the gospel.

• Be encouraged to model God’s welcoming heart by extending love, warmth, and attentiveness to others.

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Bible Verse References

• Colossians 4:5 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/colossians/4-5.html

• Colossians 4:6 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/colossians/4-6.html

• Acts 4:19–20 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+4:19-20

• 1 Peter 2:12 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-peter/2-12.html

• James 4:14 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/james/4-14.html

• Romans 5:8 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/romans/5-8.html

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Your Daily Prayer

Lord of every moment, help me steward well the relationships and opportunities You place in my life. Teach me to walk in wisdom toward others, extending the same grace, warmth, and hospitality You have shown me. Soften my heart toward those who are difficult to love, and open my eyes to simple ways I can welcome, listen, and care for others. When kindness feels costly, remind me of the cross and the immeasurable love You displayed there. May my life reflect Your heart and lead others closer to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Life Audio. Thank you for listening to your Daily Prayer,
a podcast dedicated to helping you find the words you
need to connect with your Father in Heaven. No matter
what is going on in your life today, you can

(00:24):
trust that God wants to hear from you. Right after
this short word from our sponsor, people pray through today's
prayer to open our hearts and homes to others. Together.

(00:52):
A Prayer to open our hearts and holmes to Others,
written by Sophia Bricker, read by Carrie Eiberger. Walk in
Wisdom toward outsiders making the best use of the time
Clausians four, verse five. Augustine despaired of ever finding the truth.

(01:14):
The man the key cult that had once seemed so
intriguing now only brought disillusionment as he considered the mental
gymnastics required to believe in teachings that defied rational logic.
Where could he turn to find the truth. Already he
had dismissed the Church and the Bible, but something changed

(01:35):
once he met a bishop in Milan. After getting to
know Bishop Ambrose, Augustine began to feel drawn to the
Christian faith. Ambrose slipped graciously toward others, even to an
outsider of the church, like Augustine. As he wrote in
his confessions, Ambrose received me like a father and expressed
pleasure at my coming with a kindness most fitting in

(01:58):
a bishop. If God did not talk down to Augustine
or hatefully turn him away, Instead, the bishop shared his
life with the doubting young man, and the result was powerful.
Augustine had not yet arrived at the place of faith,
but God used the hospitality of Ambrose in the process

(02:19):
of drawing Augustine to himself. By acting in love and
hospitality toward others, Saint ambrose life served as a testimony
to Christ. We often think of testimonies in terms of words,
what we say and how we say it. Giving an
account is certainly a significant part of our witness. For
the disciples spoke about what they had seen and heard

(02:41):
of Jesus, including the significance of his death and resurrection.
Yet their witness went beyond mere words. Believers also testify
by the way they live, loving and inviting others into
their hearts and homes. Combined with speech, the witness of
a life by its powerful proof to others of the

(03:02):
truth of Jesus identity and the salvation he offers. The
people we encounter each day observe the way we conduct
our lives, even more so if we claim to be
christ followers. This is why the Apostle Paul encouraged the
Christians and Colossae to wisely use the opportunities they had

(03:23):
when interacting with outsiders or non Christians. They were to
live wisely toward others and speak to them with grace
seasoned with salt. Other verses in scripture likewise urge us
to live honorably among non Christians to bring glory to
the Father. Our time is short and tomorrow is not promised.

(03:45):
We were meant to redeem the time by making the
most of every opportunity that the Lord provides. Instead of
taking the easy path and ignoring those around us or
dismissing those we disagree with, we should consider the great
hospitality our Lord and extend that same welcome to others,
as it is he showed his love to us while

(04:07):
we were still sinners caught in the destructive patterns of
the world. Like Saint Ambrose, we can choose the costly
yet joyful path of showing christ Like love and care
for others by sharing our lives with those around us,
to take time to listen to the concerns of a

(04:27):
doubting youth, to involve others in the daily workings of
our lives, to share a meal with someone different than us,
to greet people with warmth and grace. We may be
surprised how the Lord uses small acts of hospitality, perhaps
even using us as part of his plan to bring
another lost sheep safely home into his embrace. Let's pray, Lord,

(04:54):
of each moment, help me make the most of the
time that you have given me, wisely stewarding the relationships
you place in my life. I know that my time
here is short and the days are evil, So may
I seek to honor you in the way I live.
Teach me to welcome the outcast and forgotten, love those

(05:16):
who are hard to love, and offer a listening ear
to people with whom I may disagree. Guide me to
ways I can show hospitality to others, even in simple
or small ways. And when the work is costly, remind
me again of the cross where you hung and bore
the sins of the world. You welcomed me as your

(05:37):
own and loved me despite my wrongdoings. May I extend
that same grace and kindness to others. In your name, Jesus,
I Pray Amen. Your Daily Prayer is a production of

(06:02):
Life Audio and Sale Media. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts,
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