A Difficult Prayer

When Jesus spoke to the crowds, He would often teach them ways of living that were completely opposite to their way of thinking. That mindset of the ancient world is still with each of us today. Our thoughts usually go one direction and Jesus’s thoughts typically go the other way. One such passage of Jesus realigning our thinking is found in Matthew 5:43-48 where Jesus said:. 

^“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

How many of us routinely pray for God to bless someone who has hurt us or has come against us? It almost seems counterintuitive, but that is exactly what Jesus is asking us to do. If we think about it, doesn’t it become more difficult to hate or even strongly dislike someone when we pray that God’s hand of grace and blessing be upon that person. This concept also aligns with our need to continually forgive those who do us wrong. 

As we read in Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” 

Our ability to forgive and speak prayers of blessing upon those who have wronged us are signs of a Christian who is growing in their understanding of the heart of God.

If there is anyone who has done wrong to us or has caused us harm, let God know that we forgive them and then pray for His blessings to fill their life. It is our forgiveness and prayers for blessings that helps God bring the kingdom of heaven to those who need it the most. 

Let the Holy Spirit speak to us today as we reflect on the teachings of Jesus. Let our hearts continue to soften and our minds continue to renew as we think deeply about the words of our Lord