“"If you love
those who love you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love
those who love them.”
Luke 6:32
Imagine this poster
hanging on the wall at your church or in this weeks’ bulletin:
“Come One Come All
Evening Prayer Service
Coming Together to Pray for Those
You Hate
and those that Hate You”.
It’s usually hard
enough to get people to come out to pray for those they love, how many do you
think would attend such a prayer meeting?
Yet, it is a clear
command of Jesus:
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:44
Anytime you see Jesus
speaking those words – “But I tell you…”, he is usually clarifying
misconceptions or misunderstandings people had concerning the intent of the
Father’s heart.
Agape love reaches
far beyond our typical “Bless me and my three!” prayer efforts.
What a dynamic and
demonstrative faith it is that prays for those who persecute, abuse, mistreat
and hate you.
Again, we can turn
our attention to the author and finisher of our faith for an example of just
such a prayer:
“Jesus said, "Father, forgive
them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they
divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:24
I don’t know about
you – but I have a long way to go yet!
I am so grateful for
the patience and grace of the Lord working in my life.
He really has called
us to that kind of love…supernatural love.
Will I see you at the
prayer service?
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