Already my mind is cluttered this morning, Father. Help me to focus on You. Brush away the clutter so that only you are there. Bless this time together, pray. May I become more and more what you have made me to be.

2 Timothy 3:3d  (<<click here)

“…cruel and hate what is good.”

Maybe I am oblivious, Lord, but I cannot recall being on the receiving end of cruelty or hatred. I know that people may have disliked me or have been apathetic to me, but that is about it. Regardless, cruelty and hatred are all too real traits that are fleshed out every day. Many in the world loathe all that is good and wholesome and their only desire is to control and maim – to bring as much pain and suffering consumes their every waking moment.

Lord, I cannot avoid the reality of the perpetrators or their victims, I may not come into contact with them but I can pray for both. Victims obviously can be prayed for – that their suffering would cease, that they would find love and sanity – that they would find You and Your love. When I think of those who have been abused by war or persecuted because of what they believe, when I think of children who have the misfortune of being born into families where love is absent and violence is the norm, I feel like my prayers are far too inadequate to alleviate their pain. But, Lord, You feel their pain as well and You want them to be set free. May Your will be done.

Now on the other hand, perpetrators need prayed for as well. The circumstances of their lives have contributed to who they are and what they do. No one is ever too far from You to be reconciled. I would pray that by whatsoever means necessary that You would reach them, that they would come face to face with the reality of who You are, and turn from their wicked ways – none are beyond hope for none are beyond Hope!

Nov 29th, Sun, 6:25 am