Day 17: Shema

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT)

Throughout Jewish homes & business places, you’ll find mezuzahs on doorposts everywhere. Contained within them is the great Jewish “Shema” prayer, coming from the Hebrew word shema which means to hear, to see, and to obey.

This sacred prayer is recited daily every morning and evening. This prayer gives us words to express God’s oneness, our deep love for Him, and how to teach God’s ways to our families.

How do you express your love to God?

Today, try saying this sentence as you focus on Him:

I love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength.

Repeat this as long as you’re comfortable.

How do you feel as you say them?

Try using your own words for each as well.

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)