"Ye have heard that is hath been said, "THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persucute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:43-45
Most prayers offered up to the Lord for enemies are those of retribution and revenge. And you can usually hear them spoken out loud above a crowd when someone is angered by someone. On more than one occasion, I've heard in the mist of a crowd, "Well, I hope God . . ." said in anger, hoping for some type of payback or revenge. I am sure most of you know what I am saying here.
The very word "enemy" conjures up feelings of anger. Look at our country today for the best example for us yet! Bin Laden has aroused more anger in the lives of people than Judas did for betraying Jesus! But you know something? Jesus still called Judas his friend even when He knew he was being betrayed by him. Yes, Judas was loved and called "friend" at the very moment he would betray Jesus (see Matthew 26:50).
Yes, folks, Jesus prayed for His enemies! He laments their rejection of God (Matthew 23:37-39) and forgives them from the cross (Luke 23:34) while it would have been so easy for Him to bring down punishment on those who had failed Him! Yet He loved them, prayed to His Father and forgave them. So I ask myself, "What good things would follow if we were to pray for our enemies, instead of seeking ways of revenge?" What if we were to pray for Bin Laden that he might know the Lord better and become more loving and repent of this terrible thing that he has done? What if we were to pray for all our enemies in this fashion? Also, let us offer up to God our prayers for understanding what our enemies are going through. As we bring our enemies before God, we just might find His power working in our hearts, softening our feelings toward them. If we, God's children, could be more like Jesus, just think of the condition this world would be in today. It would be one great big loving nation!
If there are people in your lives right now whom you would call your enemy, talk about them with the Lord in prayer. Lift up their names for the power and forgiveness of the Lord to transform their lives. Hey, you just might end up with a Christian friend instead of an enemy! Think about it.
May God bless you with a wonderful day. May He bless your enemies also, that they may become your friends and His.
Love in Christ Jesus, Sandy |
