The Richter house has become a house divided! Tom and Maya really WANT to love like Jesus would, but all the strife is beginning to take a toll. Tom is even questioning if it's all worth it. But a visit from Caleb raises some interesting questions about how Tom's been praying.
How about you
Are there people close to you who are difficult and frustrating? How do you talk to God about them? Do you pray for YOURSELF or for THEM?
Check this out
Jesus spent a lot of His time here on earth challenging the thinking of people who had grown up learning about God and thought they knew it all. In one of His speeches to many people, he said these difficult words:
"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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:43-45a
See how Jesus DIDN'T say, "Pray for yourself ABOUT your enemy"? No, He told us to pray FOR our enemy. To do this, we really have to love them with a selfless love--not in a way that we let ourselves continue to be victimized by our enemy, but knowing who we are before God, we can truly give in a healthy, loving way. And then we will have a heart for the person that will want to pray FOR them: that God will reach them and save them. And THAT is what it's all about!