Unforgiven

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Richard Wurmbrand was kidnapped, imprisoned and tortured for fourteen years under Communist Romanian rule. He tells a story about a fellow Christian tortured: ‘A minister I had heard of in Romania had been horribly beaten and was thrown back into the cell with the other prisoners. He was half-dead, with blood streaming from his face and body. As some of the prisoners washed him, others cursed the communists. Groaning, the minister said “Please, don’t curse them! Keep silent! I wish to pray for them.”’

Those who tortured the minister had not asked for forgiveness. Nor had they shown remorse. And they would continue to beat him the next day. Yet the minister summons up the Strength to pray for them. He asks God to bless rather than curse his enemies.

It’s one thing to agree with Jesus’ teachings; it is another to carry them out whilst blood seeps from your head. So maybe you’ve not been physically tortured, but perhaps emotionally you have. Maybe your heart feels black and blue. Maybe the last thing you want to do is pray rather than curse. Ask God for the courage to love your enemy as opposed to being defeated by them. That’s what He did for you when you were His enemy.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to pray for those who persecute me and to love them as You love me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen