(Luke 6:26-28) “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way. 27 But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
(Luke 6:32-36) “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
(Matthew 5:43-48) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we are perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect (Mt.5:48)
- that we are merciful, as our heavenly Father is merciful (Lk.6:36)
- that we love our enemies (Mt.5:44, Lk.6:27, 35)
- that we do good to those who hate us (Lk.6:27, 35)
- that we bless those who curse us (Lk.6:28)
- that we pray for those who persecute us (Mt.5:44, Lk.6:28)
Today's prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for being holy and merciful. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to die and pay the price for all sin in order to make salvation possible to those who choose to have You as our Lord and Savior.
You were the ultimate, perfect example of showing love to the world. While being unfairly judged, persecuted, and mocked, You willingly went to the cross and gave up Your life for us - even though You could have saved Yourself. Your resurrection reigns victorious! Help Your children to live victoriously through You, so that we may be more and more like You everyday.
Give us Your strength and courage to love our enemies. Give us the opportunities to show Your love to our enemies. Amen.
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