A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

LOVE AND PRAY  

Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”  

The word love can have many different meanings. It can mean anything from a mild affection for someone to literally a willingness to die for the benefit of another person and everything in-between.   

In today’s devotional verses, the Greek word for love is ἀγαπάω. ἀγαπάω is a strong word that means to “ . . . have love for someone . . . based on sincere appreciation and high regard with affection and loving concern for them.” (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament) This is the love Jesus commands you as a Christian to show to all people, including, as today’s verses say, your enemies.   

Jesus then adds another command, that is, that you pray for your enemies. Love your enemies and pray for them. In other words, your enemies are also your neighbors. They are in need of your love and prayers as are those who are near and dear to you.   

Jesus’ command seems impossible, doesn’t it? If loving and praying for your enemies depended upon you, yes it would be impossible. But, remember, it is no longer you who live but Christ who lives in you. (Galatians 2:20) He is the one who prayed for His enemies while dying on Calvary’s cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)    On another occasion Jesus commanded, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Peter wrote, “. . . if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21-22) 

“While the exact saying “love conquers all” is not in the Bible, the idea of God’s love conquering everything is found, especially in Romans 8:31-39. God’s love is so strong that He died on the cross to redeem you and all people from their sins. The Bible also emphasizes that love binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Christianity.com) 

Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with Your love and lead and guide me to love my neighbor through Jesus, Your Son. In His holy name. Amen. 

All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lorde with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, His praise forthtell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice. 

Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make.
We are His folk, He doth us fee,
And for His sheep He doth us take. 

O enter then His gates with praise;
Approach with joy His courts unto.  
Praise, laud, and bless His name always,  
For it is seemly so to do. 

For why? The Lord our God is good;  
His mercy is forever sure.  
His truth at all times firmly stood  
And shall from age to age endure. 

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,  
The God whom heav’n and earth adore,  
From us and from the angel host   
Be praise and glory evermore.  (LSB 791)