Removing Fear: The Importance of Prayer for 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. KJV

Why is praying for your enemies important? Well, before we briefly discuss the topic, good morning from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado!

I’m not sure about your perspective, but I don’t enjoy making enemies. I honestly try to avoid doing so whenever I can. Also, I often find myself trying to make others happy, becoming a “people pleaser” most of the time. It’s a role that makes me feel terrible when I know the person doesn’t deserve my kindness.

I think that creating a peaceful prayer environment involves letting go of any fears that hold us back. So, let’s invite the Holy Spirit to guide us in our prayers, as we truly need His support and guidance.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, praying a peaceful prayer for our enemies can sometimes be difficult, but we thank you for guiding us. We invite you to join us as we speak with the Heavenly Father. Help us approach the Throne of Grace with sincere respect and gentle kindness, knowing your love makes all things possible. Father, God, you understand what my enemies need to draw closer to you. You know how they can find the peace their souls long for. We kindly ask you to enter their lives without delay, and your presence will be deeply felt by everyone. Amen.

Finding Peace Amidst Envy: My Personal Reflection

that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

Hello! Life is usually remarkable, but yesterday, I was briefly in a funk. The woman inside of me gave myself 24 hours to process the emotion of envy. Especially since I knew what bothered me didn’t have a lasting impact on me, either directly or indirectly. So, what triggered envy within me?

Long story short, a messy, deceitful, and mean-spirited neighbor is moving out of Denver before me. When I saw the for-sale sign being placed in her yard, I instantly felt upset! My emotions were all over the place! I experienced a mix of guilt and shame over my envy. And! Sadly, I couldn’t contain those runaway feelings!

Watching my rival move away is really difficult, especially since she’s heading to a town I’ve always dreamed of living in. However, I truly believe that God wants me to sincerely wish her all the best. I’m not there yet, but I’m gradually working on it and staying positive!

I’m documenting this as it happens. I’m giving myself 24 hours to gain more confidence in my own journey. This change will alter my outlook, and I expect spiritual growth to follow.

My attitude toward a real enemy reminds me that everyone faces challenges. Seeking help and forgiveness is a positive step forward. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, sometimes forgiving others can be really hard, especially when the pain runs deep and the wounds feel overwhelming. But I know you understand everything we’re going through and why we feel the way we do. So, I entrust my hurt to you, asking for your help to heal the wounds that seem so heavy. Please bless my enemies on their journey, and let your grace always be with them. Amen.

August 5, 2023

Finding Your Way – Praying for Enemies

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ‘ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Matthew 4:43-45

Why the heck would anyone pray good things for their enemy! Really! That has always been my mindset for however long. Honestly, I don’t even know what interaction with whoever produced that spiritual hair-raising mindset. But! God opened my eyes to why we should pray for our enemies as I was telling my husband about all the demons that held my current enemies captive.

As I began to list all of their demons and say to my husband, “There isn’t anything good about them. Why does God allow them to live? They give nothing to making this world a better place.” OMG! No sooner than I spoke those words the Holy Spirit immediately with love and kindness showed me why God loves them despite what they’ve become and or what they’ve done to me. Simple, they are His and He wants to really be their Heavenly Father. And my mom’s death has put them in my life for however long it takes God to teach each person [directly or and indirectly] valuable lessons for our spiritual journey. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, I love you more and more with each new day. Today, Lord, I pray for my enemies. I pray for peace for their wounded hearts and for your joy to enter their lives giving them hope for their life’s journey. In Jesus name I pray and in Jesus name I ask. Amen

June 2, 2023

Finding Your Way – 30 Pieces of Silver

“I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in me”.

Acts 26:18

Sometimes in an effort to gain financial security people will do anything to get there! As they are unknowingly selling their souls to the prince of this world. Unlike Judas, who’s role was to betray Christ and to be given redemption for the part he played, greed is blinding when lies and deceit keeps the ambitious from realizing they’ve sold their priceless eternal inheritance for far less than what they stand to gain on Earth.

Father God, Heaven and Hell are real! And I would like to think I will be going to Heaven and not because I’m perfect but because I do try to live a life pleasing to you. However, my presence and your blessings are causing a few people to sell their souls for “30 pieces of silver.” Jealousy, hate, greed, sorrow, the lack of self-worth have made them my tormentors and robbing me of spiritual peace. And, as a result, I’m praying for the eyes of my enemies to be spiritually opened to their foolishness. Lord, don’t leave them ignorant! Let them see and understand why they were recruited to do the dirty job they’ve been doing for the prince of this world. With your love, convict their souls day and night of the wrongs they are committing against themselves, against you, against me and all the others they’ve involved in the sideshow. Turn them from their evil ways before their spiritual inheritance is stolen from them. Restore peace to all involved in this moment in time by removing the blinders of Satan from eyes and his evil from hearts. Amen 

October 10

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Proverbs 21:19

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for every relationship to flourish within healthy boundaries. And should a person find themselves in a toxic environment, I ask that you uncover the root of the discord and show each individual the roles they play concerning the situation. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 28

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,

Deuteronomy 1:30 NIV

Sometimes people lose sight of their main goal(s) when they become distracted by fear. Goals are awesome dreams waiting to be born that are sometimes aborted because of conflict supported by self-doubt. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father God, we come to you seeking refuge. Refuge for our souls and our aspirations. Give our hearts peace concerning the fate of goals that are seemingly in jeopardy because of enemies. Block their efforts and never let us be afraid of their weapons as we take hold of your promises. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 13

QUESTION: Why would you ask God to show mercy to your enemy?

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Luke 23:20

It’s been decades since I’ve read the story about the crucifixion of Jesus. After reading so much of Luke Chapter 23, now, I know why! It brings me to tears! How can people be unkind to each other? Aren’t we striving for the same thing such as living an abundant life? Life is so much easier when logic and understanding enters into relationships, business deals and or learning how to love one’s self. But it seems from rereading Luke Chapter 23, people have been repeating history in such a way that someone is always in the role of Jesus as others seek their demise. How! So! Horrible! And if you peel back the layers of unhappy people and get to the core of who they are naked in spirit, you’ll find jealousy, envy and everything else that goes with no hope. Let’s pray!  

PRAYER

Father God, I’m sitting in the hot-seat like my Savior. I’ve done nothing. Yet, my enemies surround me as if I’ve started a war against them. Their evil actions at times scare me as my soul seeks safety and security that only you can give. So, why would I pray for my enemies and what would I ask you for? Well, Lord, I pray for your peace. For it’s clear to see everyone needs it in times where there is no hope. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31

Artist: Henry Lee Battle

I’ve started a new blog series titled “Reflections of A Personal Representative.” I’m writing to organize my thoughts. The new series isn’t just about settling my mother’s estate but I need to relearn how to live my own life.

I’ve been so engross with living for my mom that I crippled the way I lived. And in doing such I snuffed out the flames of hope for my future and the future of my children. With that said, let us pray.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for this day and everyday. It’s with great joy we invite you into our lives. We ask that you order our steps. Let your many blessings remind us of your favor. We pray peace and prosperity for family, friends, loved ones and enemies. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women: The Story of Jonah by Mary Margaret

November 11, 2021

3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Jonah 1:3

This is Throwback Thursday! So! I’m reposting one of my favorite posts. I first shared this video on June 15, 2014, at 6:45 am. It appears 7 years later I will be reposting this wonderful video around the same time.

So much has happened within those seven years of living life. I’ve lost my mom. I’ve become a great grandmother! I’m told my oldest grandson’s girlfriend is having twins. My children are doing great, making wonderful lives for themselves. Two wonderful women have been added to my family, along with a host of new friends and family members. And all of that good stuff can’t compare to my spiritual growth. I’m over the moon concerning my spiritual journey. It has been tough and often I’ve felt like throwing in the towel but . . . OMG! My life is on fire because of my spiritual awakening! And this repost can’t be more appropriate when it comes to sharing what I learned from my latest lesson.

LESSON LEARNED: God loves everyone, including our enemies and people that come across as unlovable. He expects us to show those that are lost or have lost their way compassion. Our actions will light the path for His love and mercy to become healing ointments. Bottom line! God wants all of us to be saved despite our differences. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Lord, my recent private prayer request was that you cover my enemies with your blood. I wanted the blood of Jesus to open their understanding. Allowing them to see they were their greatest obstacle when it came to not getting money bequeath to them. But how can they see when everyone spiritually in their life is superficial. Show me how to pray for them. There is nothing worse than being lost in the maze of life. Amen   

PARAGRAPH FROM 2014

I have been in church for nearly 53 years.   And I have never heard the story of Jonah with so much feeling.  Mary Margaret is full of passion for telling this great story.  Her passion causes her to be very (and I do mean very) animated.  Enjoy this cute little girl telling the story of Jonah.