What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you? How difficult is it to love someone who has offended or hurt you?

Written by Hope on 16/06/2013
Series: Weekly Devotional
Tags: Enemies, Love
"I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” ( Luke 6:27-28 )

A few years ago, our family was very hurt when some really good friends (or so we had thought) tried to sabotage our adoption of a baby. They lied to the adoption agency and even told them we were bad parents to our own daughter. We were so angry and felt so betrayed!

The Best Role Model
Do you know Who else has been betrayed by a close friend? Jesus. It was predicted in the Old Testament: "Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared My food, has turned against Me" (Psalm 41:9). Our family’s choice to respond in prayer instead of anger was difficult; but we have the best Role Model. And Jesus, even on the cross, prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). We know we need to forgive and pray for those who hurt us, as Jesus did, no matter what has been done against us. We turn to God in prayer, as the Bible instructs us, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you” (Psalm 55:22).

Promise from God
The Bible also tells us that “A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape” (Proverbs 19:5). But rather than praying that our former friends will be punished, we pray that they will turn from sinning and won’t cause pain to anyone else. God has even given us strength to pray that the godly things they do will prosper. And we know we can rely on His promises in our own lives: “Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You” (Psalm 9:10).

Prayer, Care and Share Jesus
One of the steps in the Prayer, Care & Share (PCS) guide encourages you to pray for God's blessing, love and peace to be on people and places around you and on tasks that you do daily everywhere you go.

This week we let God take us to a higher level by looking at Jesus' command for us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and to bless those who curse or mistreat us (Luke 6:27-28).

Potential “enemies” can turn up anywhere: the bully at school; rude drivers on the road; the co-worker or boss at work who treats you horribly; that family member that drives you crazy. Our natural response is often be to curse or resent such people, but we know that is not the way Jesus would act. For the next few weeks, let us explore together how we can obey this seemingly difficult command of Jesus.

Think about the people around you that may be making your life difficult or who are hard to get along with. Try to pray that God will bless them. Is it possible to feel love for them in your heart? Talk to God about your feelings.

Pray this week:

You will understand that His will for you is to love your enemies and pray for Him to bless them.