To Love Those Who are Challenging to Love
Merciful Lord,
Today I pray for the compassion and capacity to love the challenging individuals(s) in my life. The reasons vary, and the level of hurt or the damage done may have been extensive, but I don’t want to hang on to bitterness or resentment. Where I seek healing from these past wounds, help me to find in you what I need, for I may never receive it from those who caused it. But by your grace I can choose forgiveness and love.
I marvel at the love that flowed from your dying lips as your heart was not concerned about revenge against the very hands that crucified you, but was instead focused on forgiveness. I crave this compassion, but I cannot extend it to others unless your unconditional love and mercy first directed at me brings about that change in my heart. Let your no-strings-attached love flow freely to me, that it might then flow through me to others – especially those most difficult to love.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.