Pray for Who? ~ Luke 6:28 (KJV):
All throughout Jesus’ ministry, He constantly turned things upside down for those listening. The religious leaders at the time had grown distant from following the laws of God. Jesus’ teaching helped bring them back to the heart of the law, but He often did so through surprising ways.
Most of us probably think we do a great job at loving other people. But if we’re being honest, most of us probably spend our time loving those who also love us back. It’s a lot easier to love the people who we’re friends with. When there’s trust built over time and common ground, it’s easy to love.
Jesus says that loving those who love you is not enough. In Luke 6:28, He challenges us even further. He says we’re to bless those who speak negatively about us, and we are 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's 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.
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Reflecting on Luke 6:28, I've found that praying for those who mistreat us is more than just an act of obedience—it's a path to personal healing and spiritual growth. Loving people who love us comes naturally, but Jesus challenges us to extend grace and compassion beyond our comfort zones, specifically to those who curse or use us despitefully. In my own experience, the first step towards this kind of love begins quietly in prayer. When someone wrongs me, instead of rushing to respond with anger or resentment, I pause and ask God to soften my heart. This act of prayer doesn’t change the other person immediately, but it changes me, helping me release bitterness and seek justice through God’s wisdom rather than my own impulses. Jesus’ teaching here flips the common perspective upside down—it’s not about reciprocal love but unconditional love. When I remember that Jesus loved us even at our worst, it reminds me that I can also strive to love imperfectly but sincerely. Over time, praying for those who hurt us opens doors for restoration—not necessarily by changing their behavior swiftly, but by changing our heart attitudes and fostering peace. Moreover, this practice invites us to see the divine image in everyone, even those who have caused pain, recognizing that everyone is in need of love and prayer. This shift has shaped my daily devotional time, turning moments of hurt into opportunities to embody Jesus' grace. If you’re struggling, try dedicating just a few minutes each day to pray for those difficult people in your life. Ask God not only for healing in your heart, but also for their transformation and peace. This scripture encourages us to keep loving, praying, and blessing, reflecting Jesus’ example continually. It’s a challenging journey, but it’s also a profoundly rewarding expression of faith that brings healing to our souls and light to our relationships.
