The Prayer Filled Life – Day 88 – Luke 6-27-31 – Pray For Those Who Hurt You – Growing As Disciples
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. Luke 6:27-31 (NLT)
Reaction
That would not be my first reaction. What would not be your first reaction? It would not be my first reaction to love my enemies. It would not be my first reaction to do good to those who hate me or to bless those who curse me. Praying for those who hurt is not something that naturally occurs to me. So, that is not one of my first reactions either. I like your honesty. You are making a true confession. Well yes, I am. I am not proud that I have such poor first reactions to my being mistreated. I want to be able to think and speak and act like you. I want to pattern my life after yours. I want to love like you loved. I want to serve like you served. I want to give like you gave. And I especially want to pray like you prayed. I will confess fully, right now, that I have fallen far short of these goals. I have missed the mark, by a wide margin. Forgive me. You are forgiven.
So, I see that you are willing to listen. You will follow my instructions. You will receive my guidance. Yes, I will. Then I will tell you that there is no blessing in seeking revenge. There is no reward in getting even. Nothing is to be gained by getting paid back for the evil that has been done against you. If you are continually hoping that the score will be made even or that you will receive full justice in this life, you are going to be disappointed. Justice and the score being made even, or your being paid back in this life should not be your concern. What should be my concern? Do to others what you would like them to do to you. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who hurt you. Make this your one and only reaction. With this reaction, you will be my bright witness in a dark and broken world. With this reaction, you will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. With this reaction, you will reap great rewards in heaven. Will this be your one and only reaction? Yes Lord, it will. That will be very good.
Lord, I am listening. I will follow your instructions and receive your guidance. I will love my enemies. I will do good to those who hate me. I will bless those who curse me. I will pray for those who hurt me. I will do to others what I would like them to do to me. Amen
Key Question… How are you regularly and continually praying for those who hurt you?
Living It Out… Love your enemies, do good, bless, and pray for those who hurt you.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that there will be great rewards for loving and praying for those who hurt you.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are praying for those who hurt you.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
The Prayer Filled Life – Day 88 – Luke 6-27-31 – Pray For Those Who Hurt You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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