by Desiree Bustamante

It’s about changing hearts and minds to be more like Jesus.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:43-45a New Living Translation

We all have someone in our life who has hurt, offended, or deceived us.

When we are hurt by such a person we often pray, but we generally ask God to change their behavior, remove them from our space or even rain down vengeance on them. Feeling compelled to pray FOR them is usually not at the top of our agenda.

Even though we know Jesus prayed for His enemies while dying on the cross, we often dismiss attempts to pray for our enemies and tell God we are not perfect as Jesus was, or that God couldn’t have meant for us to pray for them after what happened.

But when we pray for a person who hurt us we are surrendering to God our desire for vengeance. We acknowledge that they are valued by God as much as we are valued by Him.  We are obediently asking God to truly bless them.

Now praying may not magically transform them or the pain that exists, but you may find that it transforms your view and will fill you with a peace about them you couldn’t have imagined would occur. Praying for those who mistreat or oppress you is powerful. Often your relationship will improve as God heals your heart and overhauls your perspective.

Ask God to grant you courage and strength to pray for those you struggle with and for true restoration to result. Then you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado