Behind the Lines: Encouragement for Military PersonnelSample

Pray for the Persecutor

We’ve all accepted tasks that we would preferably delegate to someone with less seniority or rank. Though we all have our favorite duties, we take the good with the bad as with a job. Maybe praying for those we see as enemies is one of those assignments that we’d willingly pass off to someone else. But we cannot profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ and pray only for those who treat us with love and respect. This means we lead by example, not only doing the work we enjoy and love but also doing the dirty work, which includes praying for our enemies and those who persecute us.

When you pray for someone who persecutes you, you are letting go of the poison of bitterness and the seeds of hatred and anger. Jesus commanded us to pray for those who persecute us for our benefit. Not only do we operate in obedience to the words spoken by Jesus, but we are also pruning ourselves of unfruitful and poisonous elements that will prevent our growth in Christ. It may not be an easy task, but praying for those who hate us, persecute us, and despise us will produce marvelous results.

Heavenly Father, help me to pray for those who persecute me. Give me the heart to love my enemies and reflect you to others. Amen.

For more devotions written to encourage, empower, and inspire people in service, check out Behind the Lines: 365 Daily Challenges for Military Personnel by Adam Davis and Chad Robichaux at http://bit.ly/BehindtheLinesBSP.