enemylove

DAY 16ish

On day 1 of this Lent observance the task was to pray for your enemies and i imagine some people would have been all, ‘But i don’t have any enemies’ and others might have been tempted to send out a generic, ‘God please bless all my enemies’ prayer to cover them all.

Well, if you really don’t have anyone who you don’t like or who doesn’t like you [whether you would specifically call them ‘enemy’ or not] then use today to pray for a friend you know who does. I imagine for the most part though, each of us will have at least one person we can think of who is not our biggest fan or who irritates us immensely.

Task: Pick an enemy. Just one. Preferably someone who you don’t particularly like and if that person doesn’t exist [because you’re a much better person than i am] then someone who has something against you. Let that person [and just pick one] be the focus of your prayers and positive thoughts and maybe even actions today.

Mattew 5.44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

So picture that person and actively spend some time praying for them. Not that they will become nicer or more friendly to you or a better person or anything like that, but ask God to reveal Himself to them and ask God to really fill their life with goodness.

Then take some time on this passage from Romans 12, keeping that person in mind. Start with the idea that ‘Love must be sincere’ and finish with the hope of ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Now, if there is some action that is brought to your mind. Maybe dropping them a message of encouragement or something else that comes to mind. Dream of the possibility of that person who has been a source of pain to you, becoming a friend one day. Invite God to work that miracle.

[For days 17 and 18 Lent observance, click here]