Pray for Who?
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.
Reflecting on Jesus’ radical call in Luke 6:28 to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us has been a transformative experience for me. Initially, I found it incredibly challenging to even consider praying for someone who had wronged me or spoken harshly against me. It felt unnatural, almost impossible. However, I started by quietly asking God in prayer to soften my heart. This small step made a big difference. Instead of focusing on resentment, I gradually began to understand that praying for those who hurt us is not about condoning their actions but about releasing the burden of anger and inviting healing for both parties. It is an act of spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with Jesus’ unconditional love. I also found that praying for restoration—asking God not only for justice but for the healing of broken relationships—helped me move beyond bitterness. It opened up a path for empathy and peace, even in situations that once felt impossible to forgive. In everyday life, loving those who love us back is easy, but stepping out of that comfort zone shapes our character more deeply. Jesus exemplified this love perfectly by loving us at our worst. When we extend love through blessing and prayer, it becomes a witness of Christ’s love to others and a source of inner peace for ourselves. If you’re struggling with feelings of hurt or unforgiveness, try setting aside a few minutes to pray quietly. Focus on asking God to help you grow in love and to heal wounds, both yours and those of the person who hurt you. Over time, this practice can cultivate a heart that not only forgives but blesses—and that is truly transformative.
