Respond With Energies Of Prayer…

Matthew 5:44-45 (MSG) says, “I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.”

Sometimes people, whether they knowingly do it or not, can be unkind in their words or actions.  I am sure that we all have either been that way or been hurt by someone one who was that way or maybe both.  Which ever it is, it can be a hurtful and frustrating experience to be hurt by another person’s words or actions.  But, I like what The Message translation says, let these situation bring out the best in you and not the worst.  And, respond to those hurtful situation with energies of prayer.  For it is then that we are allowing God to work in us and through us. 

If we think about it in our point of view, loving your enemies is not easy.  But, Jesus loved unconditionally.  He went to Calvary for each and every one of us.  He looked ahead in time and knew those who would live for Him and those who would reject Him.  But, yet he chose to make the sacrifice anyways.  Because of the love and compassion He had for us.  He asks us to “love one another as I have loved you.”  He didn’t hold grudges or choose who deserved His love and who did not.  He love us all.  That is what He is asking us to do in Matthew 5:44.  Love your enemies.  Sure, it may not be the easiest thing to do.  But, if you respond with energies of prayer it can make a huge difference on your situation.

Of course we are not talking a “now I lay me down to sleep kind of prayer”.  But, a prayer that calls on the power of Almighty God to intervene and lead and guide us to say and do the right thing.  In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said,  that all all power in heaven and earth was given unto Him.  In Matthew 19:26 it says that with men, things maybe impossible.  But not with God.  For with Him all things are possible.  I believe that there is no mountain too tall, no valley too wide, nor a river too deep where is power cannot move and change a situation.  He can work in any situation.  Sometimes all he is waiting for is for us to get on our knees and respond with energies of prayer.  Powerful prayers that demand His assistance.

Lord, help me to respond with energies of prayer in the situation that come my way that try to weigh me down.  I am thankful that you are there for me always.  And, that you are only just a prayer away.