Matthew 5:43-48...Pray for Your Enemy...

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

What a challenge! Be perfect. Even though this is an impossible task, as no one is perfect, we are to employ the idea as our goal. Surrounded by a climate of hate and mistrust that we live in today this task seems even more difficult. Every corner that we turn we find more back-bitting, slander and deceit which seems to be the framework of many people’s lives. These are the enemies that we are called to love and to lift up in prayer. Rather than finding a way to spew hate upon them we are called to love and pray for them. We are reminded that we all live under the same umbrella of God’s divine plan and purpose and that our role is to rise above the easy path. We are to share the love of Christ and to offer our hand along the way. Pray today that you may find opportunities to show the kindness of God.

Blessings,

Alan B Conner