“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
Reflection
In April 2019, I wrote a blog entitled “It’s Not Easy, But We Can Do It!”, wherein I shared how difficult it can sometimes be to pray for those who have wronged us or unjustly caused others to suffer, yet how much easier it is to pray for those who have been hurt by their actions. Our hearts seem to instinctively go out to those who have been hurt, yet we struggle to pray for those responsible for causing the pain.
Yet Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to pray for those who persecute us. Granted, He never said loving our enemies would be easy, but He commanded us to do so.
And He was our example. While enduring the cruelty of crucifixion, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of those responsible for His suffering. What a powerful example of the love and mercy of God! “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Doing what God asks of us isn’t always easy.
Loving and praying for those who do wrong does not mean approving of their actions, excusing their behavior, or allowing them to continue hurting others. Wrongdoing must still be confronted, victims must be protected, and those responsible must be held accountable. But at the end of the day, we are still called to love these people even when it is hard to do because of their actions.
Yes, we must pray not only for the abused but – so too – for the abuser. And as difficult as that may sometimes be, God is with us. His Holy Spirit will help us do what He has commanded. We have not been left to face this challenge alone.
Perhaps this also helps us mature in Christ: acknowledging that what God requires of us is sometimes greater than what we feel capable of doing on our own.
Prayer
Merciful God, in the name of Jesus, You are a good God and One who is always worthy to be praised. There is none like You, and I thank You for all that You do, have done, and are still doing in my life. Help me to love my neighbor as myself, as Your Word declares. Help me to pray for those who have wronged me and others, even when it is hard to do so that they may repent and come to know You as Lord and Savior. Remind me of the example Jesus set for us, and help me always to walk in obedience to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a MARVELOUS MONDAY and a MIRACULOUS GOD-FILLED week!
KEEP THE FAITH!
#anotherwordfortheweek
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