What Prayer Does for the Pray-er

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

June 28th Sermon, Day 3

Praying for someone who has hurt you might be the last thing you feel like doing. And honestly, that's okay. You don't have to feel it to start. You just have to start. Prayer has a remarkable way of changing the atmosphere of our souls. When we bring someone before God, even someone who has wounded us deeply, something begins to shift. Not always quickly. Not always dramatically. But over time, God softens what was hardened and loosens what was tightly gripped.

When Jesus tells us to pray for those who persecute us, He isn't asking us to perform an emotion we don't have. He's inviting us to take an action that opens the door for God to work. In us. In them. In the situation. You don't have to have perfect feelings. You don't have to erase the pain. You just need to place that person before God and trust Him with the situation. Even a prayer that sounds like, "Father, I want to forgive but I don't know how. Please help me," is a completely valid place to begin. God meets honesty with grace. Start where you are. That's enough.

Bible Verse

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Matthew 5:43-44

Reflection Question

If you were to pray honestly for someone who has hurt you, what would that prayer actually sound like right now?

Quote

"Prayer has a way of changing the atmosphere of our souls. And over time, we begin to discover that God is faithful."

Prayer

Jesus, I don't always know how to pray for the people who have hurt me. Teach me to bring them before You with honesty, and let that be the beginning of something only You can do. Amen.