A Prayer to Love Those Who Are Hard to Love - Your Daily Prayer - November 10

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A Prayer to Love Those Who Are Hard to Love
By Christine F. Perry 

Bible Reading
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:9-10 NKJV

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“You’re late! If you think it’s bad now, just wait until you have kids.”

I had just walked into church, and that was my greeting. I felt frustrated and deflated. My husband and I had tried to get there on time but had a hiccup on the way. Additionally, we had just faced a pretty substantial blow earlier in the week that no one else knew about except us.

Later that day, someone approached me to help them confront someone else. However, I was not involved in the issue at hand and told the person that my suggestion was for them to deal with the other person directly and not rope me into it.
I don’t like conflict. I don’t want to be in the middle of conflict. But because someone had dropped my name and used what I said out of context, I knew I had to call the other person involved and explain that I was not there to stir the pot or disrupt unity. I felt exhausted by the time I left.

The following week, I pretty much avoided those two individuals like the plague. I didn’t want to be spoken down to or roped into any drama. I just wanted to go to church and leave.

However, God wanted more from me. I know because shortly after I avoided them, I was convicted. I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient. Love is kind…” I realized I needed to pray that the Lord would help me to be kind, even when I feel as though I was wronged. I need to be patient with my fellow brothers and sisters, and extend grace when they’ve done or said the wrong thing. This is what Christ does for me every day, so who am I to withhold that from my spiritual siblings?

1st John 4:20 says, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”

I wish I could say this isn’t a struggle, but I am still working and praying to love my brothers and sisters well. I realized I still have a lot more dying-to-self to do.

“God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.” — D.L. Moody.

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please forgive me for being impatient and unloving towards others when You are patient and loving toward me. I know I don’t deserve it. I have said the wrong thing at the wrong time. I have roped people into my issues who shouldn’t be. Lord, I fail every day. Yet, You continue to reach down and help me. You never hold my sins against me. You’re for me and care enough about me to root out sin in my life.

Lord, I pray that You would empty us so that You can fill us with more of You. I ask that we decrease so that You can increase. Lord, help us to see those who are hard for us to love through Your eyes. Lord, You see them as Your children, as complete, and as whole. Please give us eyes to see and hearts to obey.

We love You. We need You. Thank You for giving us everything we need for life and godliness.

Amen!

Discuss today’s devotional with others in the Your Daily Prayer thread on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: GettyImages/AntonioGuillem

Christine is just a lady who was given the gift of being raised in an incredible family. For reasons unknown to her, God has blessed her with an amazing life full of beautiful friendships, remarkable experiences, and a love from Him that is completely underserved. She desires to encourage others and share hope as we journey through the highs and lows of life. Christine is the author of How I Met Peace and For the Weary Life Traveler, a 31-day devotional. Check out more of Christine's work at her website:  Learning to be fearless and her Patreon.

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