Praying for your enemies. I am about to give you a quick spiritual test.
What is your attitude towards your enemies? We all have those people in our
life that we just can't get along with. We all have those people in our
life that don't like us. We all have those people in our life that do not
wish us well. What is your attitude towards those people? It is easy to
like your friends, but how do you feel about those who do not like you? On
the ladder of spiritual maturity, this is a very big rung. How we feel
about and deal with those people in our life that are NOT our friends is a
major indicator of our spiritual growth and maturity.

Of course, our perfect example in this are is that of Jesus. How did He
handle those who were involved in his death? He loved them, He forgave
them, and He prayed for them. This becomes the standard we must work to
achieve in this area. We must love those who hate us. We must forgive
those who mean to do us harm. We must pray for those who are out to get us.
You see, the Bible says the Lord will fight for us, that the "battle is the
Lord's". The reason God fights for us is that we can get so weary, so worn
out, that we become ineffective for God. We become so distracted in
fighting those who oppose us, we lose sight of our mission which is to serve
and glorify Him with our lives.

I realize today that you have people in your life that wish only the worst
upon your life. Love those people today, pray for them. Anyone that has
allowed bitterness to take such hold on their life needs our prayers. Those
who allow bitterness and hatred to creep into their life are to be pitied.
They are hurting themselves, so out of that hurt, lash out on those around
them. Pray for them. Pray the Lord will grant them peace. Pray the Lord
will take the hatred and bitterness from them and replace it with peace and
joy. Love them.

How? In our own strength, it is NOT POSSIBLE to love, or pray for our
enemies. That is when we need to tap into the strength only God can give
us. In our own strength, it is virtually impossible to love, pray for our
enemies. Burt when we let God to take over, when we call upon His strength,
it is possible. AND THIS IS WHAT THE LORD IS CALLING YOU TO DO TODAY!!
Make a list right now of everyone in your life that means you harm. Make a
list of your enemies. My suggestion is that you call each on, or meet with
each one and tell them you love them, forgive them, and are praying for
them. At worst, sit down each morning, and pray for them. THIS IS WHAT GOD
IS CALLING YOU TO DO TODAY!!!!

I love you and care about you so much. I realize that these are difficult
words to hear, and even more difficult to put into action. Trust me, there
is a key of freedom attached with what I am telling you today. A freedom
that you can not begin to understand. This is a test, a spiritual test. I
will pray for you today that you pass it with flying colors. It is no
accident that you are reading these words today. God is clearly speaking to
you. Take a few minutes right now, and pray for all of those in your life
that are not your friends, that are against you. Pray for their souls, and
than pray the Lord will bless them and open their hearts to His love. God is
calling you today to rise above the day to day emotions of life. Realize
that the wars we fight are not of this earth, not of flesh and blood, but
are spiritual. Pray for your enemies today, and be like Jesus!!!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller