CROSSTRAX!
One man’s view
about the things
that really matter….
Love and pray for your enemies
Matthew 5:44 says,
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
It is extremely easy to pray for those in our families, our friends, and for ourselves. However, it is a whole new ballgame when we realize that Jesus called us not only to pray for those who we like but also for our enemies. He even goes as far as to say to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This means the bullies, the evil leaders, the harsh co-workers, the rough family members, and the most terrible of people can be prayed for in the power of Jesus.
Who do you feel is your enemy today?
Who in your life is overwhelmingly discouraging or wrong to you?
Jesus is not saying that we should be victimised and abused, so please set healthy boundaries in place. He is, however, saying that we are called to pray for those who are difficult and hurtful. We cannot do this on our own, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can have true strength to pray over those who seem the furthest away from Christ. We can remember the apostle Paul as we pray. He started out as Saul, a persecutor of Christians, and killed them. Then, Jesus pursued him, and he came to faith in Christ, changing his name to Paul. We never know if a person was praying for Saul to know Jesus. A man who appeared to be a great enemy of the church then became one of the greatest evangelists of all time. We must remember that Jesus is capable of changing any heart.
Ron Paton
TRAX Chaplain