Prayer Focus-Jan. 21-27, 2024 )

Prayer Focus:

Empowerment to love the lost and our enemies.

44 But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. 45 If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. (Matt. 5:44-45)

Loving who have not received Jesus in their hearts, and those who are not kind to us.

“To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.”

- John Calvin

According to God’s word, we are required to bless and pray for enemies because in doing so, we begin to love them. And that is what He is looking for- a heart of love, compassion, and forgiveness, even for those who don’t know him and for those who reject our message of love and salvation. If we regularly pray for the lost, those who offend us , those who reject us and those who are not kind to us, our hearts will grow more lovingly toward them. In other words, it is quite impossible to pray for someone on a regular basis without eventually developing Agape (God-like) love for them.

God knows that we will love our enemies more, as we pray for them regularly. God wants our prayers to be a beacon of light for the lost, and to draw those who are destitute, homeless, and without a place to learn of His love. It is quite easy to pray for these individuals who are in other countries and abroad, but what about our family members, co-workers, neighbors, and those we see on a regular basis? It is quite easy to become frustrated and distant with individuals who are familiar to us and with whom we are trying to love into the kingdom.

Therefore, the Lord calls us to pray for individuals who are not always kind to us, especially if we are believing for their salvation. He does not want us to despise them because of their weaknesses and blindness.

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (2 Cor. 4:3-4 NLT)

This week, let us pray and trust the Lord to cultivate within us a heart for souls, a passion that will reach beyond our own capabilities, and opportunities to share His love with those that we encounter on a regular basis. Let us pray that our lives will speak volumes to those that are lost, so that when we share the good news of God’s glorious gospel, it will coincide with our actions. Let us pray for those who mock us, curse us, offend us, and believe for sincere love in our hearts as we pray and intercede for them.