June 17th – Matthew 5:44
Let’s be honest. Most of us have people in our lives who are difficult to get along with. No matter what we do, they never seem happy. They criticize, misunderstand, or hurt us, and sometimes our efforts to make peace only seem to make things worse. Our natural response is often to pull away in anger or return hurt for hurt. Yet Jesus calls us to something different. He tells us to pray for those who mistreat us.
Praying for difficult people doesn’t mean pretending their behavior is acceptable, nor does it mean allowing them unlimited access to our lives. In some situations, healthy boundaries are necessary. There are times when a relationship cannot be restored because the other person is unwilling to change or because remaining close would be harmful. But even when we can’t have a healthy relationship with someone, we can still pray for them.
When we pray for those who hurt us, something begins to change. Not only in them, but in us. Because prayer softens our hearts, releases bitterness, and reminds us that God loves them just as He loves us. We can pray for their healing, their salvation, their growth, and for God to work in their lives in ways we never could. We may not be able to change another person’s heart, but God can.
Loving our enemies doesn’t always mean keeping them close. Sometimes it simply means surrendering them to God, refusing to let bitterness take root, and trusting Him to handle what we can’t. That isn’t weakness, it’s obedience. And in doing so, we become a little more like the Savior who prayed even for those who crucified Him.
June 17th – Matthew 5:44 Read More »
