Jesus said, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
—Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
I inherited a family feud that had been going on for over 50 years. It was a battle over land, passed down from generation to generation. It’s called “heir property,” and it can be messy when everyone wants the same lot. During court preparations, I received a court document that upset me to the point of anger.
I wanted to retaliate with words of my own. My mind was racing with all I wanted to say. Anger is not a fruit of the Spirit, and I needed a listening ear. I called a friend and explained the situation. Honestly, I wanted to hear my friend say, “She did what?” thus adding fuel to my fire. But instead, my spiritual sister asked, “Have you prayed for her? What’s her name?” And so we prayed. What a revelation! Prayer changed my entire focus, and I began to call out my cousin’s name in my daily prayers.
As it turned out, court was avoided, and God brought a 50-year feud to an end with a compromise. I gained more than land that day; I gained a new perspective, which led me to apologize. Prayers for the people in our conflicts take our mind off the anger and hurt and put our focus on a new life in Christ for all involved.
Today’s prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for forgiving us. Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Amen.
Thought for the day: Praying for others helps me focus on what matters most.
Rhonda Thomas (Maryland, USA)
