Scriptures: Matthew 5:43-45 43″You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (NIV)
Nugget: One of the most difficult things to do is to pray for someone who has done you wrong. The Bible says, “pray for those who persecute you”. This made me think, “Wow, this must be wrong”. How do I begin to do this!?
I really think this is a true test of Christianity. If you only pray for those who you love & those who you consider “on your side”, what change does this make? Recently, I had someone who I no longer consider a friend, and who had treated me badly, say, “I need prayer”. I thought God was playing a joke. But in reality, this is what God has called us to do.
We are to be examples of God’s love walking the Earth. He loves us in spite of ourselves & we are to extend this same love to those around us—even those we consider enemies. We’re all in this together.
Quote: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible to be alive without breathing.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
© Lisi P, 2010
Amen! This is one of my favorite verses regarding our enemies! It's very hard to love those that did us wrong. But I know with God all things are possible. Great post!