You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV)
To love and pray for our enemies?? Really?? That’s a tough one!
In reading the above verses, the Bible teaches us that God desires we get to a place where we can show brotherly/sisterly love towards a person who has hurt us. To earnestly pray for a person who may have caused hurt while in a romantic or friend relationship, at work, at church, within the family dynamics, etc. Showing love, forgiveness, and praying for such a one can, and will, be very difficult for most.
(Now, before I go on, I do want to make a point here for those involved in criminal situations. Please be responsible and take the necessary steps to protect yourself physically and emotionally from any type of abuse).
The Bible speaks of loving those who love us as being easy (see Luke 6:32) and this is usually very true. Who doesn’t love and want the best for a person who shows love and care for our wellbeing? Of course, to love and pray for such a one is usually something we would gladly jump at the chance to do. But to have the same or similar attitude and feelings for a person who has wronged us, will be difficult. It will take us allowing God, through His Holy Spirit, to work in us to accomplish this task.
I (and I’m sure many others) have had to face people who hurt us and in following God’s word, chose to offer forgiveness, as well as pray for their wellbeing. To love, forgive, and pray for people who caused us grief and pain, can be an extremely difficult task. I can honestly state it was not an overnight process. For me, it came about after some time had passed and by studying God’s word, listening to sermons, much prayer, and fasting. Eventually, I came to the point where I cared about this person, prayed for them, and wished them well. By allowing God into my life and allowing His precepts (not the world’s) to take hold of me, what poured out of me was His love and compassion. Now, do not think I or any others who have accomplished this have “made it” and we don’t have struggles as we move forward in life. All of us have to take control and deny our sinful desires (see Luke 9:23). Meaning, we’re not to go back to old sinful patterns of behaving that are contrary to God’s word.
My prayer is for everyone to allow God into their lives and to seek to have a close relationship with Him. To allow Him to open up a pathway of healing and restoration in your life, that will guide you to be able to love and pray for your enemies.
Blessings,
Angélique
To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com