Bless and Pray
Verse
"Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." Luke 6:28
Teaching
Hostile words invite hostile words in return. Jesus interrupts that cycle by directing His disciples to bless and pray. To bless is not to call wrongdoing good. It is to ask that God bring the person under His truth, mercy, correction, and saving purpose. Prayer moves the conflict out of the courtroom of personal revenge and into God's hands. It also exposes the condition of your own heart. When your mouth becomes an instrument of blessing, another person's curse loses power to dictate your character.
Quote
"Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing."
- The Apostle Peter (1 Peter 3:9)
Instruction
Refuse to repeat a hurtful statement about someone today. Pray instead for God's truth, mercy, and correction in both of you.
