Nolan’s Prayer

Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-36

Nolan wore a big smile as he and Parker walked home together. Parker looked at his little brother. “What are you so happy about?”

Nolan’s grin grew even broader. “It worked! Pastor Dunn said we should pray for our enemies, so I’ve been praying for Derek ever since he knocked me off the swing last week.”

“Oh yeah? That’s good to hear,” said Parker.

“Derek’s always mean—nobody likes him,” said Nolan. “Anyway, I’ve been praying, and today Derek had to go to the hospital to have his appendix out, and he won’t be back in school for a long time!”

“What has that got to do with your prayers?” asked Parker in surprise.

“God got him back for all the mean things he’s done to me,” Nolan explained.

Parker frowned. “Wait…don’t tell me you asked God to make something bad happen to Derek!”

“Sure I did. Like the verse we learned at church says—‘“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.’ I asked God to repay Derek, and He did it!” Nolan shrugged. “You don’t think I’d pray for nice things to happen to him, do you?”

“I don’t think you listened to everything Pastor Dunn said about praying for your enemies, Nolan. You’re supposed to do good to them—be kind to them and not hate them. God doesn’t want anyone to have to suffer His vengeance for the wrong things they do—He wants them to trust in Jesus, who took the punishment for all our sins. That’s what you’re supposed to pray for—that your enemies will know Jesus loves them and be saved.”

Nolan sighed. “It just seemed so good for something bad to happen to Derek for a change.”

“Well, you’d better keep praying for him,” said Parker. “But this time ask God to help him get better fast. Okay?”

“Okay,” Nolan said. “But I still think it will be nice not to have him around for a while!”

Parker smiled and lightly boxed his little brother’s arm. “Yeah? Well, maybe that is a good thing. It will give you time to think about how Jesus didn’t make you pay for all the bad things you’ve done and how you can show His love to Derek when he gets back.” (Deborah S. Marett)

How About You?

Do you know someone who is not a nice person? Would you like to see something bad happen to them? Pray for that person, not against them. Jesus tells us to love our enemies. That can be hard to do, but that’s the kind of love Jesus showed us when He died to take the punishment for our sins. Don’t wish vengeance on those who are unkind to you. Instead, love them and pray for them.

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies…and pray for those
who spitefully use you and persecute you. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Pray for your enemies