Pray for Those who Harm You

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:43,44 NKJV

In an article titled “Bystanders watch motorcyclist crash into runner in Bell Buckle” it was reported that someone [intentionally]crashed their motorcycle into a man during a race in Bell Buckle on Saturday morning. The crash happened during the RC Cola-Moon Pie Festival race outside the Bell Buckle Volunteer Fire Department. Witnesses within inches of the crash watched as the motorcyclist sped away. Witnesses said they had to jump out of the way while watching the motorcyclist speed up before striking the runner, flinging him into the air. “It was devastating to witness,” Kim Smith, who lived nearby, said. She went on to say, “I hope that they’re caught. I really hope that they are caught and I’m praying that they realize that they need the Lord and to treat other people differently.” 

And you know, while our natural inclination when we or someone we know has been intentionally harmed or hurt is to lash out and wish harm to the individual that has done wrong, Jesus said that we are to love our enemies and to bless those who curse us, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us instead. In doing so, we show them the love of Jesus which can inspire them to accept Him as their Lord and Savior and will ultimately cause them to “treat other people differently.” Do you just love that or what? 

So pray for those who have wronged you today my friend. Pray that they would realize that they need the Lord and would repent and accept Him. Prayer has the power to do that!

Heavenly father, we thank you very much for reminding us that we are to pray for those who have wronged us so that they might seek you rather than die in their sin. Lord, please remind us that we were still sinners when You sent your Son to die on a cross for us. Knowing how blessed we are because of that, help us to display that love to others. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!