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Our Enemies

             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. (I Timothy 2:12)

            But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44)

            It’s election day. Please vote. But voting isn’t enough. We don’t know yet who is going to win, but it doesn’t matter. Start praying now for whoever the winners will be. Pray for their salvation. Pray for them to make wise and righteous decisions. Pray for their physical well-being. Pray that they will not only be courageous and hopeful, but that they will lead us to be courageous, hopeful, and righteous.

            Another way to pray that frees you from the same words every day is to use one or more passages from Scripture as your guide in praying. An easy one is the fruit of the Spirit. Each day, you lift up those we elect using the next item in the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

            As Jesus pointed out, it doesn’t matter if you like them. You are commanded to love them even if they are your enemies. Both Jesus and Paul put feet, or maybe hearts and mouths, to the command by telling us to pray for our enemies. There are lots of people out there saying how we need to do this or that to defeat “them” but what Scripture is telling us is that we need to do some serious praying and some serious loving. Until we do those things, or confess our sins and turn from our wicked – hateful – ways, we cannot expect Him to heal our land.

 

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