Pray for Our Enemies?

Jesus could not have made it any plainer when he said in Luke 6:28, "Pray for those who mistreat you." (NIV) All of us have been wounded by someone. It hurts! God does not expect us to endure a deep hurt or abuse.

Reconciliation may not be possible because the other individual may not be willing to work things out. In the additional features of the DVD Unbroken, Louie Zamperini tells how he met one-by-one with the guards of his WWII POW camp and forgave them. The leader of the camp would not meet with Zamperini, but he forgave him anyway.

Whatever the circumstance, we can forgive and part of forgiveness is to pray for them. Forgiveness means we let go of the bitterness in our hearts and turn the matter over to our Lord to deal with the aggressor as needed. Holding grudges, getting revenge, and the like rob us of peace and joy. We need to be honest before God and pour out our hurts to him. He has big shoulders. This release of emotion will jump start the healing process and give us strength and courage to excuse the injustice.

Praying for politicians and for our enemies are both tall orders. Next time, I will discuss another difficult group of people we are commanded to pray for.

Pray for Politicians?

In January 2015, Gallup reported congressional members of the 114^th Congress rated a 16% job approval. Many of us may be tempted to pray for their retirement. However, I doubt that is what Paul intended in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

God grants authority. This is explained in Psalms 75:6 and Romans 13. As the ultimate sovereign power, God can change a politicians mind or remove them from their position with ease. Because our Lord is in control, we can pray and trust him to make our lives safe from tyrants. Intercede for their relationship with God, their family, and wisdom as they serve our country. Also, be thankful for them. Really.

We are commanded to pray for politicians and all people according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Politicians are not popular people and I have others in my life who are not my favorite friends either. I’ll bet there is a difficult individual in your life as well. Check out my next blog to figure out how to pray for those rascals as well.

Grocery List Prayer

To save trips and money, I make a grocery list and go to the store once a week. When we use all the ketchup and there is only an inch of milk left in the gallon, I put them on 

the grocery list. A number of years ago, I noticed my prayer time was like a grocery list. I

went to God always wanting. My prayers were one-sided conversations. 

I bought a book on prayer and found a system called ACTS. The A is for adoration. This starts prayer with a God focus instead of me focus. The C signifies confession, a part of prayer most of us would like to skip. But, I have found admitting sin is very freeing. My Lord is forgiving and patient with me. The T stands for thanksgiving. Thanking God is something to do everyday not just on national holidays. Finally, S is for supplication. I generally pray for others, then my family and myself. This order helps me to adjust my prayers to thinking of God, others and myself.

I recently found a prayer tool on the Navigators website. It uses the five fingers on your hand as an aspect of prayer. The five topics are: confession, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. Each part has a scripture with it. You can find this one page PDF file, “Getting a Grip on Prayer”, at this link: Navigator Prayer Tool.

I pray you will find one of these methods helpful in keeping your prayer from being a grocery list, me-centered petition and rather be an intimate time with the God of the universe.

Prayer the Right Move

I leaped from bed, showered, and dressed in Olympic record time. A pressing issue needed my attention. My devotions could wait until my problem was resolved. Afterwards, I realized this was a wrong move.

Yesterday, I read this quote by John Eldredge and have been thinking about it ever since.

“Against the flesh, the traitor within, a warrior uses discipline. We have a two-dimensional version of this now, which we call a ‘quiet time.’ But most [people] have a hard time sustaining any sort of devotional life because it has no vital connection to recovering and protecting their strength; it feels about as important as flossing.

“But if you saw your life as a great battle and you knew you needed time with God for your very survival, you would do it.”

If I had taken time to do my devotions first, the pressing issue may not have loomed so large. God may have given me insight into the nagging concern. I could have proceeded with confidence. My experience made me determined to go to God first.

Paul penned, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT). Prayer is the right move in all matters.

Fuel Our Prayers

I recently read an article on prayer by Wayne Jacobsen, Director of Lifestream Ministries in Oxnard, California. He stated, "I remember praying through our finances, and though we had enough to supply our needs for the present, I was concerned about the long term. I trusted Him [God] enough for today, but kept praying that He would do something to take my anxiety away for tomorrow. But God didn't want me to trust in my savings or the state lottery for security, He wanted me to trust in Him."

Ever feel like Jacobsen? I have. As I have thought about this, I have concluded fear is the demise of prayer. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 21:22, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (NIV) Petitions of faith in God's love and confidence in His character will be more effective than those begging Him to relieve my discomfort. Let's fuel our prayers with trust rather than fear.

National Day of Prayer

Tomorrow, May 1 will be the 2014 Observance of the National Day of Prayer. The LIVE broadcast from the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. will be Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET on this website:  National Day of Prayer Broadcast

The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture. 

Speakers include Anne (as the Keynote Speaker), Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Mrs. Vonette Bright, The Honorable Bob McEwen, Congressman Mike McIntyre, Don Moen, Chaplain Father Patrick Conroy, Dr. Dick Eastman, Mr. David Butts, Mr. John Bornschein, and more.

Anne Graham Lotz is the Honorary Chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Listen here as Anne shares the National Prayer:  Anne's Prayer.

To find local events for May 1, 2014 click here:  Local NDP Events.

For more information please visit  NationalDayofPrayer.org.

Romans 15:6… that with one mind and one voice we’re to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.