43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[q] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[s] how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 NLT This morning as I was scanning social media, I came upon a trend that asked us to pray for our troops. I wish I could say that the trend did not become a commentary on how to win over the evil our world is experiencing, but it makes me uncomfortable when I read of such anger and hatred. Is this not what Satan wants? I dont want anyone to be persecuted or mistreated and I do not think we need to sit back and watch. But how we act and how we move forward defines who we are as a people and as a nation. So what do we need to do? How do we need to react? We need to pray for the safety of all who fight for whatever is good, pure, and true. We should pray for peace in the world and freedom from oppression and fear. We need to pray for the hearts of those who do not know good but only evil, that God would turn their hearts as He did for Saul on the road to Damascus.(Acts 9:1-19) We need to act and protect, but not with hatred. We need to act and protect with compassion, truth and love. We need to act with God and listen to His plan. We need to pray. There is so much pain in the world. Let us pray for peace and freedom, love and compassion, and for Gods authority over all to be fulfilled. You have changed my heart, Father, in so many ways. I support and pray for all our military men and women that you would wrap your hedge of protection around them and keep them safe. I pray for the persecuted around the world, that you would protect them from evil, slavery, and all mistreatment from those who do not know and love you. I pray for children who have been ripped from their homes and their innocence in war torn nations and in our backyard. I pray for your love to fill the hearts of those who do not know you. They are blind to your goodness and grace, they are lost in the lies of evil, the hope of self importance, and the power of fear. Open their eyes as you did for Saul to know you, to accept your presence, and to work with the same passion for your kingdom and your will. I implore you to fill the hearts of decision makers in our government and around the world, with your knowledge, your wisdom, and discernment. I ask these things with urgency and in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Amen
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:25:55 +0000
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