Scripture/Prayer
Jesus says that loving those who love you is not enough. In Luke 6:28, He challenges us to bless those who speak negatively about us, and to pray for those who mistreat us.
If you’ve ever been mistreated by someone, or had someone speak negatively about you, then you know how hard it can be to love that person. It is hard to love unloving people. And yet, Jesus did exactly that. When we were at our worst, He still loved us.
If you find it hard to bless those who mistreat you, begin with prayer. Between you and God in prayer, ask Him to help soften your heart. Ask Him for justice in a specific situation, but also for there to be restoration.
Every person who exists is a person Jesus wants to love. And when we make steps to love those who are unloving, we’re showing the love of Jesus to someone who needs it. As we take steps to pray for those who mistreat us, we become more like Jesus.
Take a few minutes right now to pray. Ask God to help you grow in love towards those around you. If there is someone who has hurt you, ask God to begin healing your heart. Say a prayer for that person as well. Ask God to be with them, to help them, and to make a way for their heart to be softened as well. Thank Jesus that He loved us even when we were unloving.
Okay, let's be real. When someone has truly hurt you or spoken negatively, the last thing you want to do is bless them or pray for them. My gut reaction is usually to stew, or maybe even wish them a tiny bit of bad luck (don't tell!). But then I remember Jesus' words in Luke 6:28 KJV: "bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." It's a challenging command, isn't it? What does it even mean to be "despitefully used"? It's not just a casual disagreement. It implies being treated with malice, contempt, or deliberate harm. It's when someone actively seeks to hurt your reputation, your feelings, or even your well-being. When you're facing that kind of pain, the idea of praying for them feels almost impossible. I’ve been there, feeling the sting of unfair words and actions, and honestly, forgiving felt like giving them a free pass. But here's what I've learned on my journey: praying for those who mistreat you isn't primarily about *them*; it’s about *us*. It’s about softening our hearts, releasing bitterness, and allowing God to work in a situation that feels completely out of our control. The prayer asking for help to love, pray for, be kind to, and forgive those who have mistreated the speaker really resonates with me because it’s a prayer I’ve prayed countless times. So, how do you actually do it? Start Small, Start Honest: Don't sugarcoat your feelings to God. Tell Him you're angry, hurt, or resentful. Ask Him to help you want to pray for them. That's a prayer God always answers. Pray for Their Well-being (even if it's hard): Instead of focusing on what they did, ask God to bless *them*. Pray for their spiritual growth, for them to know God's love, for their wisdom, or for any struggles they might be facing. This often shifts your perspective. Pray for Restoration, Not Retribution: It's natural to want justice. And God is a God of justice! But also pray for restoration – for the relationship if it's salvageable, or for peace in the situation. Understand "Bless": When Jesus says "bless them that curse you," it doesn't mean condoning their actions. It means speaking well of them, wishing them good, and praying for divine favor upon them, even when they're against you. It's an act of faith and obedience, not necessarily warm feelings. Choose Prayer Over Gossip: This is a big one. When I'm tempted to vent or gossip about someone who hurt me, I try to re-route that energy into prayer. It's a conscious choice to pray instead of gossip, and it truly changes the atmosphere around me. This practice is a spiritual muscle that gets stronger with use. It's a powerful way to become more like Jesus, who loved us even when we were at our worst. It's not about being a doormat; it's about being an overcomer, finding freedom from bitterness, and trusting God with the outcome. Every time I’ve genuinely tried to pray for someone who hurt me, I’ve felt a shift in my own heart. It’s a profound act of faith and a path to deeper peace.
