Luke 6:27-36
How do we speak of love in places of crises? How do we show that we have God’s love in places where we are being persecuted? When we have the opportunity to pray for all people, do our prayers include those who persecute the Church?
Jesus’ teachings about love are difficult to comprehend: we naturally love those who love us, we naturally pray for those who are close to us. But Jesus wants us to go beyond that and love even our enemies. We need to be able to express God’s type of love to everyone. If you have not seen the need to intercede for your perceived enemies, then see this as a call to love and pray for them.
Like someone pointed out, praying for one’s enemy seems to be the easiest option. But God’s love compels us to do much more by actually doing good to them. No matter that person’s offence against you, we are to do good to him/her. All our actions towards that perceived enemy should be premeditated on love and devoid of hatred too. Also, when giving, we should do it gladly, having the assurance of the rewards that we have in heaven.
Our Father in heaven is merciful; Christians should also be known as merciful persons.
Ask the Lord to teach you to love your enemies and not just your friends.