Pauses for Lent Day 28
Pauses for Lent by Trevor Hudson
Day 28 Word: ENEMIES
Scripture: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45
We all have enemies. We want to think that we love everyone and that everyone loves us, but that is highly unlikely. Sometimes these enemies pop up even in our family circle!
One of the most difficult challenges for a Christ-follower is loving his or her enemies. Not only does Jesus do this but he also wants us to do so.
Often the first step in loving enemies is praying for them. Praying for our enemies discourages us from saying or doing anything nasty to those we dislike. Prayer also has the power to change our attitudes. Maybe this is why Jesus specifically tells his disciples to pray for their enemies.
Comment from Marie: Enemies, being a strong word, makes me think I don’t have any. However, I am sure I have unknowingly said or done something that offended someone else. So, I will pray for those unknown “enemies” that I have offended, just as I pray for those who might have offended me. In so doing, I hope and pray to keep a loving, open attitude towards others and to always give them the benefit of the doubt. Please share your thoughts on today’s word.
Day 28 Word: ENEMIES
Scripture: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45
We all have enemies. We want to think that we love everyone and that everyone loves us, but that is highly unlikely. Sometimes these enemies pop up even in our family circle!
One of the most difficult challenges for a Christ-follower is loving his or her enemies. Not only does Jesus do this but he also wants us to do so.
Often the first step in loving enemies is praying for them. Praying for our enemies discourages us from saying or doing anything nasty to those we dislike. Prayer also has the power to change our attitudes. Maybe this is why Jesus specifically tells his disciples to pray for their enemies.
Comment from Marie: Enemies, being a strong word, makes me think I don’t have any. However, I am sure I have unknowingly said or done something that offended someone else. So, I will pray for those unknown “enemies” that I have offended, just as I pray for those who might have offended me. In so doing, I hope and pray to keep a loving, open attitude towards others and to always give them the benefit of the doubt. Please share your thoughts on today’s word.
1 Comment
Marie, I agree that it is hard for me to use the word "enemies". But as I think about it, there are a few people that I don't like very much, like Erin's father who abandoned and hurt her. I am going to try to pray for him.