“But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” – Matthew 5:44 (AMP)
The FAOGW congregation was challenged to look inward in the year 2024 in seeking to get closer to our God, Who keeps what He has created. This kind of self-introspection or internal inspection is likely to unveil some skeletons in our closet – some anger or bitterness towards someone due to their unkind words, actions, or attitude. We often take no culpability in those matters even if we might be part casualty and cause of the conflict.
Yet James 5:16 (ESV) assures us that no matter our role in the matter, healing comes from such prayer: “…pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” The emphasis on healing means that whatever has caused us to perceive another as the enemy or persecutor, a time of prayer for one another will bring reconciliation or restoration.
I recall a time when I was displeased with my supervisor and had no interest in participating in a team activity, yet I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to pray for the event. As I later recounted the success of the activity, I caught myself surprised (given this was not my original desire). God reminded me that He answered my prayer as it was intended, even for my good. This is the posture God desires from us, no matter how difficult it may be to lift that person to the Lord in prayer. Matthew 5:44 even challenges us to unselfishly seek the best or higher good for that person, even if our ‘flesh’ may be wishing they fall flat on their faces for all the ways they wronged us.
In a season of fasting and prayer, we are encouraged to demonstrate unity and maturity in the Body of Christ by ‘setting aside bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice in exchange for kindness and compassion’ (Ephesians 4:31-32, NIV). A tough ask, but through self-introspection and prayer, God will minister to you. May our foe become a friend!
Read: 1 Samuel 24:16-18; Romans 12:19-21Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 2:1-11; Matthew 12:22-45; Genesis 32; Genesis 33
