Tuesday, January 17, 2012

GFYD 1-18-12




Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Did the Bible just say what I thought it said? I'm afraid that it did, and that means that we can't ignore it. It looks like you are going to have to add a name or two to your prayer list! I'm not talking about your best friend, or your golden retriever, I'm talking about that guy at work that seems to look for ways to irritate you. I'm talking about that lady next door who spreads lies and rumors about you all over the neighborhood. I'm talking about that person at church who seems determined to wreck your life. Ouch! I know what you're thinking......"I'll pray for them. I'll pray for them to get fired, or move, or find another church!". I don't think that's the kind of prayer that God is talking about here, as a matter of fact, I'm positive that God isn't asking us to pray for their harm. Now I know that when you read the Old Testament, you do find verses where people cursed their enemies instead of praying for them, but Jesus is actually giving this scripture in contrast to what the people used to do. What a shock to the system this must have been to those who heard Him say it for the first time. It's actually still a shock to the flesh if you choose not to ignore it and actually apply it. What good could actually come by praying for my enemies? I don't know, maybe your prayers might be answered, and they come to know Jesus? You might also be surprised to find out that when you start praying for your enemies, you might actually quit letting hate wreck your life and begin to realize that Jesus has the right to forgive them just as much as He did to forgive you! The greatest thing about this verse to me is that we find out a little later in the book that Jesus applied this truth to His own life when He said "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". Go ahead and add those names to your prayer list today and let's see what happens. Amen.

2 comments:

  1. God, may you help me to love my enemies and to pray for those who desire to hurt me..... I once was an enemy to Jesus, I once was hurtful, hateful, and just plain disrespectful to the Cross of Christ. BUT, while I was yet a sinner Christ loved me and died for me, so my prayer in return is to live and love like Jesus. Amen

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  2. Praying for our enemies turn evil into good. It releases our hearts from the bondage of hate, bitterness, envy, jealousy, unforgiveness, etc..If we don't fight against flesh and blood but the powers of this dark world then praying for the people that are being used by the real enemy changes things huh? We have the opprutunity to impart life to a spiritualy dead person. If God allows us to be effected by that person then He desires to give that person the chance to be saved. I believe that this can be very powerful but painful too! It takes God to do what we can't do. To be honest I don't want any enemies especially those who would do harm to those I love the most, and God help me if I do. I know You will consume me with the abilty to pray for them. In Jesus' name.Amen

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