Rhapsody Of Realities Daily Devotional, Thursday, March 7, 2019
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Dsc DD;
PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES… NOT AGAINST THEM,
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
Sometimes, some Christians, while praying, would say, “Whatever evil my enemies have planned against me, Lord, give them double! Anyone who wants me dead, let that one rather die a sudden death!” No, this isn’t the right way to pray as a Christian; not when you’re full of the Spirit!
Those who pray like that are praying according to the desire of the flesh, not according to the Spirit. Our opening verse says, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust (desire) of the flesh.” It’s the desire of the flesh to see the death of your enemies, but the desire of the Spirit is to see their salvation.
When you pray against your enemies, that’s walking in the flesh; that’s praying in the flesh. What God wants is for us to pray in the Spirit: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit …” (Ephesians 6:18). Stay in the Spirit; don’t be perturbed by whatever your enemy may be scheming against you.
Jesus said, “Pray for,” not against, your enemies: “But I say unto you, 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). You may feel hurt, and upset or angry, but refuse to hate. You’re too full of love to hate or curse anyone. You’re too sweet in your spirit to be bitter or take record of the wrongs done to you.
Don’t give attention to your adversaries, for they don’t count. It makes no difference how many people gang up against you, they’re not a factor. You’ve been raised together with Christ! Greater is He that’s in you than he that’s in the world. Read the words of David
in Psalm 27:2: “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.”*
There was no need for him to pray against his enemies; they simply took their place: they stumbled and fell. That’s the fate of anyone who professes to be your enemy. If they don’t repent, they’re doomed. But your role is to pray for them, hoping God would grant
them repentance unto the acknowledging of the truth.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your love that’s shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit, and for the fullness of Christ in my heart. Your love is daily expressed through me in my thoughts, words, and actions. I’m riding through life gloriously, making progress with giant strides, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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FURTHER STUDY:
Proverbs 24:17 GNB
Don’t be glad when your enemies meet disaster, and don’t rejoice when they stumble.
Luke 6:27-28
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 12:18-44 & Numbers 20-21
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 21:1-11 & Exodus 16