Pray for Your Enemies
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When January rolls around, instead of saving or pitching the Christmas cards we received, our family keeps them in a basket and pulls one out each night at dinner. We pray for the people who sent the card and it’s a great way to remind ourselves to pray for others!
This week my awesome husband had to have oral surgery.
Not the most fun experience, needless to say.
And today after church, we pulled a card from the basket…only to discover it was our dentist’s turn to be prayed for. As soon as my husband saw the name on the card, he half-smiled and said, “I don’t want to pray for the dentist! He hurt me.” Of course, he was joking…but our fourth grader quickly retorted:
The Bible does say to pray for your enemies.
Quite the humor, that kid.
He did cause me to reflect for a minute though…
Who is my enemy?
And when have I prayed for them recently?
Sometimes we may not consider someone our “enemy”….because that word is just too strong for our sophisticated taste. But we hold grudges against those who’ve hurt us.
We pretend to forgive, but that awkward silence in their presence indicates otherwise.
Could it be that the simple solution for that hurt…is prayer?
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!- Jesus
I do agree. Praying for those who have hurt me…and still may hurt me is key to my intimacy with Christ. Only by His provision of grace is it possible. I love this post. So affirming. We must remind one another that it can be done by His grace and power. The truth does set us free, indeed! Thanks, Rachel!
Thank you for stopping by! It is entirely true that holding grudges prohibits closeness in our personal walk with the Lord. Yes, the truth sure does set us free.
This is wonderful. What a great idea, what a funny little man!
Great post, my friend!!!!
Hello,
I’m visiting from the JJ Community on blogfrog — one of those rare, special days to visit all the JJ member blogs. 🙂
Thank you for writing this great post. I simply love the idea of praying for friends after Christmas — you stretch the Christmas love! Wonderful… and then the reminder to pray for your enemies. WOW! It’s so hard to do, isn’t it… but as we grow to be more like Jesus, that’s exactly what we need to do.
Blessings!
Thank you for stopping by!! Blessings to you!
Amazing post!!!
Awww. Thank you! Love all the pink at your place. 🙂
Rachel, our children have a way of speaking Truth. I’m learning this already as I continue on the road to adoption. Our kiddos have been visiting on the weekends and the things they say… Makes me laugh, but it also makes me think.
We must be like the little children.
Big hugs,
Daphne
so true!! Thanks for stopping by. Praying for your brood! 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful, post on forgiveness and prayer Rachel! I have a post coming up on forgiveness on Wednesday… it is so freeing!!! I also, loved your family idea to pray over your cards… now, that’s what I call “reduce, reuse, RECYCLE! 🙂 -many blessings, Amy Alves
Thank you! God is good, all the time. Looking forward to your Wednesday post!
What a great moment with your son. I find I’m often convicted by what my kids say, too. Great post, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
Thank you and have a good week!