You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’ Matthew 5:33-34
Heavenly Father, Loving Savior, Helping Spirit,
Today we lift up all of those (including ourselves)
who are in complicated caregiving situations.
For some that looks like
the patient refusing to heed the doctor’s instructions
to quit drinking, quit eating sugar, start exercising…
the patient who in the past or present
has called us cruel names,
or abused the dignity of our bodies,
physically harming us…
For many it means the
;onging to hear the patient say
“thank you,”
“forgive me,”
“I love you,”
and/or “I’m proud of you.”
For such caregivers, we pray that they will hear
your countercultural call to love their enemy
and pray for the patient who persecutes them.
For such caregivers we pray that they will see
their Savior dying on the cross
for those who persecuted him.
For such caregivers we pray that they will be strengthened
and helped by your Spirit.
For such caregivers we pray that they will hear you
singing over them in delight,
calling them your “beloved,”
naming them as blessed.
For indeed, our Savior declares,
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4).
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).
“Blessed are you the merciful, for you shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
Father, Son, and Spirit,
provide the grace and strength
these caregivers need
and comfort them with the comfort only you can give.
Amen.
Read Matthew 5:1-11; 5:43-48.
