Hear the words of Jesus to all who would follow Him: “I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
For the German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the enemy was obvious—he was imprisoned and finally murdered by the Nazis. Facing this persecution, he had these comments on Christ’s directive to love our enemies:
This is the supreme demand. Through the medium of prayer we go to our enemy, stand by his side, and plead for him to God. Jesus does not promise that when we bless our enemies and do good to them they will not despitefully abuse and persecute us. They certainly will. But not even that can hurt or overcome us, so long as we pray for them.
God does amazing works through prayers that seek to extend His grace to others. Truly, God’s grace knows no bounds!
P.R.A.Y. FOR TODAY
Praise God for loving us even when we were His enemies; repent of any bitterness you’ve held toward others; ask for God’s blessings on your enemies; yield to Him by seeking to do good to these people.