Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Thankfully, I wasn’t bullied much growing up, but I do remember a few instances where I had to face bullies at school, and I really hated those guys. They made life harder for everyone around them and always seemed to get away with it.
Do you have someone, or even a group of people, you really dislike? Maybe you even hate them so much that you wish something bad would happen to them.
I’m not saying it’s good or even healthy, but it is definitely human to feel that way.
Jonah felt that way too; he hated the people of Nineveh. So much so that when God told him to go and preach to them, Jonah ran in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:2-3). Why? Because he was afraid they might repent—and be saved. He would rather see them destroyed (Jonah 4:1-2).
It is unclear why Jonah felt so strongly about the people of Nineveh and what made him root for their destruction. Whatever the reason, his heart was hardened against them.
But here’s the twist: God still sent him.He sent Jonah to minister not to his friends, but to his enemies. (Jonah 3:4-10).
Jesus calls us to do the same.
“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.” - Matthew 5:44-45
Who are your enemies, and do you think you can truly love them?
It’s not easy. But with God’s help, it is possible.
Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy in my life. Today I choose to love my enemies, to bless them and pray for them. Give me the strength to forgive their trespasses against me and to genuinely wish them well. I pray your abundant blessings over their lives and may they be filled with Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
