Devotional: Pray When Persecuted

Matthew 5:43-47 While walking to my car, I am approached by a co worker. Justina is sad, almost in tears. She tells me that she is being treated badly by some of the other employees that she works with. I listen to her complaints and I want to say something. Somehow, I keep my mouth closed and I allow her to ventilate her feelings. After ventilating for a while, she gathers herself and says: “I pray for them. I know that they do not know Jesus.” Jesus calls us, His disciples, to pray for those who persecute us. We are not to seek to get even or cause harm. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Instead, we are to work for their good. In doing this, we show ourselves to be sons of God who does good to those that are for us and those who are against us. Prayer: Our Father in heaven we pray for those who persecute us. Let our response be like that on a son that models the behavior that he learns from his father. You are good to all people. We pray that we too will do good things for all people. Amen.