Jesus said, "I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who ill-treat you. If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back. Do for others just what you want them to do for you. "If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount! No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be sons of 'die Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful." - Luke 6 v 27- 36
Lord, this all seems so difficult to me. Not difficult to understand, but difficult to put into practice. I might find it in my heart to be kind to my enemy if he was at all sorry for the harm he's caused me. But do you really expect me to be good to someone who hates me and loves doing things to hurt me? And it's even harder to think of continuing to love someone who I once trusted and who has betrayed my love. If I'm going to do this at all you're going to have to help me. There's no way that I can do it on my own. Please give me the strength. I know that you are good to the ungrateful and the wicked. After all, you've been so good to me! And I do want to try to be like you - to behave as someone in your family should. Please be with me. Give me patience. Give me sympathy for the other person. Give me the ability to forgive, to show kindness, and to do what will please you.