Pray Like Jesus, Love Your Enemies 14/03/2010

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Read: Romans 12:17-21 and 1 Peter 3:9

Who might our enemies be today and why do we need to love & pray for them?

Read: James 1:2, Romans 5:3-4 and 2 Corinthians 12:10

How can loving & praying for our enemies be considered “..pure joy..”?

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
How easy is it to practise this verse?

Score yourself from 0-10 on each of the following.
"0" means, "I need a lot of improvement."
"10" means, "I'm great at this."
____ I am patient.
____ I am kind.
____ I do not envy.
____ I do not boast.
____ I am not proud.
____ I am not rude.
____ I am not self-seeking.
____ I am not easily angered.
____ I keep no record of wrongs.
____ I do not delight in evil.
____ I rejoice with the truth.
____ I always protect.
____ I always trust.
____ I always hope.
____ I always persevere.
____ My love never fails.
How well did you score, which areas do you need God’s help with?

This week’s challenge
The next time you feel irritated about someone:
• Pray for the other person's needs.
• Pray that God will help you forgive.
• Pray that God will help you love him or her.
Think about those individuals or groups who you may consider to be your ‘enemies’ - write a prayer asking God to help you be more loving towards them and others.

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