Pray for those who Abuse you

Luke 6:27-36, “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”


At a church where I served as pastor, the parsonage was vacant – just sitting unused. A family needed a place to stay so it was offered to them. They were comfortable ‘taking’ whatever churches offered them. In fact, they took and took and took, even though the husband worked. I explained before they took the offer of the home that they would need to pay a small amount on the utilities. They failed for months to do so even though they kept showing up with new appliances, alcohol and tobacco (forbidden on church property). On several occasions I spoke with them about the problems that they were creating for themselves and with promises of ‘doing better’ they didn’t. One couple in the church asked me how many times I was going to let them ‘slap’ me in the face, scoffing at what I shared with them to do. I was ‘told’ to ‘get rid of those people.’ I remember looking at the couple and saying, “Jesus told us to pray for those who abuse us, who hate us, who wish us harm. What would you have me do?”

Prayer: Father help us to live into the courage of Jesus that teaches others how He lived and guides us to eternity. Let us be thankful to You for the gift of each day and of the redemption offered through Christ Jesus. Strengthen us for Your holy service, in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.