psalms

Pray FOR Your Enemies

by 4myluvs89

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s hard to pray for my enemies. That word in and of itself is such a huge dynamic. A quick search on the internet defines an enemy as “a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.” I don’t think that definition puts forth enough power, but it’ll do for all intents and purposes.

Psalm 58:6a used to be one of my favorite verses: “Break their teeth in their mouth, O God!” New King James Version. Now this verse puts forth power! David prayed with fervor and sincerity and he shared with God all of his fears and frustrations when it came to his enemies, especially those he knew to be enemies of God. He even included himself (Psalm 51:1-2). David recognized he was an enemy of God, too, when he sinned against the Lord. When I look at praying through this lens, it lessens the desire for my enemies’ teeth to be cracked and reminds me of other scriptures I could pray.

Ezekiel 36:26 is one of those scriptures. You called it – I’m not including it so that you can look it up for yourself. I love these moments that we share, LOL. In that verse, we’re reminded that we all are or have been an enemy to someone whether we know it or not. Sure, we’re an enemy of someone who may have no true validity in naming us as such, but in their heart, that’s who we are to them. More importantly, though, we all are or have been an enemy of God and his categorization is never skewed. So, this verse helps me pray for my enemies, not against them.

As you listen to today’s song choice, consider what the artist is saying before they really move into the song. I can never listen to her testimony as though it’s just a part of a song and I pray it blesses you in that way or even more. God wants to show us mercy and so much more takes place in our lives when we allow him to do so. Pray for your enemies today and allow the Lord to give you peace.

READ: Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:17

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/2U0n_foreyc?si=LsKYJ8EfbkWaS0uw by Mercy/Tremble Medley featuring Ahjah Walls and Housefires (Official Music Video)

Hurt, Harm, or Danger

by 4myluvs89

I grew up with so many ‘sayings’ and hearing so many ‘ole wives’ tales’ that it just ends up being something that I still do – saying things without necessarily thinking of where they came from or why whoever said it began saying it. And, yes, sometimes we do it even in prayer. That’s a topic for another discussion. Our focus today, though, deals with a conversation I recently had with my youngest daughter.

I often asks my children how their day went, regardless of their location. Different things happen at school that can bring about certain emotions, yet a similar thing taken place at Walmart might’ve not phased them at all. Believe it or not, having your feelings hurt at the mall has a different effect than, let’s say, having your feelings hurt in the McDonald’s drive-thru. I don’t know why that is, I just know it’s true. 

So, after listening to my daughter explain to me that things went well for her earlier, I responded by telling her I was so very grateful to God that things were good. I followed by telling her that, as far as my prayers, I ask God to continue to keep her and her sister safe from all hurt, harm, and danger. I wanted her to know that I’ve begun to recognize more and more that, as they grow older, there’s less and less I’m going to be able to do any of that, protect them, that is, from all hurt, harm, and danger. I transitioned to talking about the fact that there’s truly only one person who could do that and even he won’t always do it. That’s when I began to wonder why is it that we speak something we know isn’t guaranteed? It’s all fine and well to ask for it, but we can’t hold God to it. I’m of the mindset that anything he won’t block is certainly not because he can’t, it’s just that he won’t. And the reasons are given to us over and over throughout scripture. God, in his infinite wisdom, gave us Psalm 23:1-6 because he knew we’d need it when Romans 5:3-5 came a’knockin.’

The truth is that we will experience hurt, whether it be physical or emotional. We will encounter situations that are harmful, and we will, inevitably, make decisions that could put us in some serious danger. Psalm 27 begins with a reminder that the Lord is our light and salvation and proceeds to talk about the when’s. “When” evil people come and “when” foes attack are just the beginnings of trials that we’ll face. It doesn’t say at what age or where, just that “when” it begins, we are to remember that the Lord is a fortress.

So, as I pray for my children and you pray for yours (or whoever else you want to plug in), let us still ask the Lord to protect them from all hurt, harm, and danger. If you weren’t saying it, consider adding it to your prayers. If you were and just didn’t know of any scriptures to reference, now you have some to fortify your stance. While we know that God may allow some trials, we can rest assured that he’s already prepared a place of refuge. We need not fear or be afraid.  

READ: Psalm 121:7-8; Proverbs 22:3

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/Bq8PzU2W8VI?si=4CBld3EKWaSs4Nfe William Murphy, Everlasting God