But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. – (Matthew 5:44, NIV)
But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. – (Matthew 5:44, ERV)
But I tell you this: love your enemies. Pray for those who torment you and persecute you. – (Matthew 5:44, VOICE)
For me, I don’t really consider anyone my enemy. However, that being said, there are those who frustrate me and challenge my resolve to be kind. As a teacher, there are kids who are in a space where they do not know how to filter their words and actions, and disrupt others with their behaviors as they seek attention. Daily, I am challenged by a cluster of such kids, who happen to be in a particular class all together. Every morning, I pray for strength and patience and resolve. By the end of most afternoons, my reflection on how that class went only brings frustration. Thankfully, each day is new and provides a fresh start. That being said, as I prepare both my lessons and classroom for the day, I typically discover even more reasons for frustration from the day prior. This is a space where I know not a solution, yet continue to have to persevere and deal with it. Thankfully, God goes before me, remains with me, and surrounds me with His goodness and love. Each day, I am blessed with the opportunity to do what I love before I head home to my family. Coaching is a space where joy abounds, and my heart is filled anew with reminders that He has a plan and a purpose for me. God is good, and He continually reminds me to pray for those who frustrate and challenge me. He is faithful, and occasionally gives me glimpses of the goodness in one of the dysregulated cherubs. In all things and at all times, may we seek the Lord to lead us to pray for those who frustrate us, and grant us His love to pour out upon them all.
O Lord, help us pray,
for everyone;
both sweet and salty,
so Your will is done.
For as we choose pray,
You flood us with love;
to share with others,
all grace from above.
You grant us Your strength,
to keep pressing on;
as we walk by faith,
’til each day is done.
Father, please fill us,
with love and with grace;
so challenging ones,
will feel Your embrace.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only call us to love and pray for our enemies, but You showed us through the life, death and resurrection of Your Son. Thank You, Jesus, for showing us what it is to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. We know not the intensity of pain and persecution You endured, but we can learn and grow from the examples that You set before us. Forgive us for our frustration and anger that rise up when others do things to disrupt our routine. Teach us to walk in grace and love and to pray continually for those who struggle to be kind. Lead us to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for strength and reminders to love as You love, and to pray for those who are horrible to us or frustrate us each time they come to mind. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34