Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!
You know Father, You’ve been quite “chatty” with me as of late. I mean, I “hear” from you rather often in general; through quiet whispers on my heart, subtle “out of track” thoughts crossing my mind, and by recognizing Your guidance in the Blessings around me. Lately however, Your “nudges” have become more and more regular and in many cases, the message has been the same…
“Pray for them.”
Now Lord, when I see someone obviously in need of Your help, I always try to lift them up in prayer. Lately however, You’ve been telling me to pray for people in situations where my first inclination on how to react is certainly not prayer…
A client who my staff and I bent over backwards to help is complaining and arguing about the bill…
“Pray for them” You told me.
In the midst of some marital turmoil, the wife of someone I care about is saying and doing spiteful and selfish things to her spouse and family…
“Pray for them” You told me.
An employee of a close friend of mine’s business is feeling “put-upon”, and is saying and doing sneaky and hateful things to him and his company…
“Pray for them” You told me.
A lady that my wife used to consider a friend has begun lashing out at her and others with petty, demeaning and insulting exchanges and actions…
“Pray for them” You told me.
Ok Father… Message received.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children 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 5:44-45 (NIV)
While I never really considered these people “enemies” per-se, apparently my heart had passed judgment all the same, making my perspective the same nonetheless. Lifting these situations and those involved to Your mercy places them into Hands that can truly mend lives, and fulfills Your Will for my role as well.
Thank You so much for these convicting reminders Father, and for all of Your guidance in my life. I’m most certainly a work in progress, but I pray that through Your direction I continue to emerge from my broken shell into Your Light.
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Message well spoken. Well done.
Thank you Dy!
Have a Blessed Day!
Your antennae is really tuned into the Lord’s voice lately and how interesting it pours love into your heart for strained relationships. God is alway teaching, coaxing us closer to His heart, isn’t he?
It surprised me when out of the blue someone comes to my mind. I usually do try to lift that person up right away in prayer.
Intercessory prayer is a great gift, not just others but our own spiritual life.
It’s fascinating to me Jean, how sometimes I feel like God’s talking to me constantly and other moments like I’m in isolation. The last couple weeks I’ve felt His Presence quite consistently, so I’m guessing He’s trying to prepare me for something… Can’t wait to see what! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Many times, praying for a contentious, unlikeable soul is the last thing we want to do, yet it’s not our will, but His be done.
Thank you for reminding us all, Phil, that praying for others, especially our enemies, is not a choice as Christians, but a commandment!
Blessings!
Absolutely Martha, and it fights our natural “fleshly” inclinations, but that being said it is what He wants of us.
Have a Blessed Day!
It is wonderful to hear Him in this way and praying for others is sometimes all we can do. Great reminder for us all 🙂
It is indeed Heidi… I’m so thankful for His direction in my life. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I love when He prompts us to pray for someone when we normally would not even think about it! I have found recently as I am praying for complete strangers that I have felt more blessed than ever. It is so awesome! Great post!
I love it as well Jenifer, although I will say it takes the wind out of my sails when I start to get irate about something and He corrects me… Praise God He does. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I have been getting this same prompting, Phil. It saddens me that it seems so much easier to criticize and complain than to pray. Jesus said it doesn’t really credit us to love those who love us. Rather, we are to love and pray for those who curse us. When my heart wants to turn away, I’m going to remember what Jesus (and you) said – pray for them.
I believe it all comes down to the battle of flesh v/s spirit Lisa. Thankfully, when we choose to open ourselves to God’s Presence in our lives He’s wonderful about guiding us down the right path. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
It’s hard to see people we thought of as friends in the enemy light (not really enemies, but you know where I’m going). The best thing we can do for them and us is to do what He commanded and Pray for them!
Amen Allison! I’m trying to remember God’s desire for situations like that, but it’s certainly not always easy.
Have a Blessed Day!
As always, Phil, your prayers and thoughts are blessing to me and so many others. Thank you.
Thank you so much Alida!
Have a Blessed Day!
It’s amazing how often, when I am praying to the Lord about my ‘stuff’, suddenly a person’s name or face will pop into my head. It will be someone I know or sometimes someone, I don’t even know personally, but may have seen throughout the day or week.
I have learned to ask the Lord, why He brought the person to my attention and He gives me the words to pray for that person.
Great post Phil – blessings to you and your family.
What a wonderful and powerful connection we have with God through prayer! Thank you Carole!
Have a Blessed Day!
Phil, God tells you to pray for people because He knows you will 🙂 It’s a high call, and I thank you for all your prayers.
Thank you Debra… I never looked at it that way. 🙂 I generally feel like I don’t pray for people enough, but I’m working on that.
Have a Blessed Day!