Pray for the ‘Competition’

Every week, my church prays for another local church and pastor. This is shocking to some people. “Why do you pray for the competition to thrive?” asked one lady.

Competition? They aren’t our competition. They are our sisters and brothers in Christ. We have the same cause, the same God, the same scriptures.

Logistically, it makes great sense. Our church can’t hold all the community. We will all be together at some time in heaven. Jesus calls us to love one another.

Where do we fail to support our brothers and sisters of the family, of the family of the faith, of the family of God, of the family of the world?

When did we decide that we were more important than the other guy?  Who told you that? HINT! They lied to you.

I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.

 When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. 

This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.

 If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.  If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?

(From Matthew 5:44-48, MSG)

How will you love others today?

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