Pray for your enemies

My teacher at church invited the class to think of the person who made them feel the most angry.

I immediately had a name come to mind.

The teacher then invited us to try to sincerely pray for that person.

I was shocked to discover that I couldn’t do it!

I was so angry that I couldn’t even say a prayer on their behalf.

I knew I had a problem.

I worked for a long time to have my heart softened toward this individual.

A lot of intentional effort, prayers, and pondering.

And then finally…

I could do it.

I could say a sincere and honest prayer on their behalf.

And it was at this point that I realized that even though this person hadn’t changed, I had changed for the better.

When Christ preached His Sermon on the Mount, He first talked about the lower law.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” (Matthew 5:43)

Doesn’t the world teach that lower commandment all the time?

Love everyone, but hate the people who aren’t nice to you.

But Christ teaches us the higher law. This is the law He hopes the more spiritually mature individuals will follow.

“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 persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

It’s a higher law that is easier said than lived in this messy mortal life filled with very imperfect people.

But we aren’t asked to make the judgment call for others.

We are just asked to love.

Because God knows that when we love our enemies, it doesn’t change them; it changes us.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black