A Prayer For You Today
Pastor Joe | May 11, 2026 | A Prayer For You Today
May 11, 2026
If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Dear friends,
A prayer for you today.
Lord Jesus Christ, when others dishonor Your ongoing work of the Gospel in our lives, all that You are doing in and through us, keep us from despair, bitterness, hatred, or pride.
Remind us that the Gospel was never validated by human applause, but by Your cross and resurrection. Teach us to rest in Your approval, not in the opinions of others.
Guard our hearts from cynicism and make us faithful witnesses whose lives adorn the truth we proclaim. Let every wound drive us deeper into Your grace, quicker to our knees until Christ is seen as our treasure, joy, and reward.
As Paul prayed in Ephesians 1, give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Christ more clearly and enlighten the eyes of our hearts to see the hope of Your calling, the riches of Your glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward us who believe.
Fix our gaze on the risen Christ, far above every rule and power, reigning for His church.
And remind us, we cannot and will not love like You love, apart from union and communion with Jesus.
Father, by nature, we are the ungrateful and wicked ones to whom Your kindness has been wondrously expressed in the Gospel. Indeed, it was while we were Your enemy that You reconciled me to Yourself through the death of Your beloved Son, Jesus (Romans 5:10).
Every time we try to excuse ourselves from loving difficult people, remind us of these truths. We’ve never been “the natural choice,” just chosen by your sovereign grace.
Forgive us for labeling some people “the enemy” simply out of bruised pride, hurt feelings, and a fragile self. Bring the power of the Gospel to bear by the power of the Holy Spirit. Calm us in those relationships. Simply…rehearsing their failures will only fertilize our lovelessness.
Father, for those who have been instruments of harm in our lives, by their words or with their own hands—we entrust them to You. You will do what’s best.
Please help us. Defend us. Give us a bigger heart, thicker skin, and a longing for stories of redemption and reconciliation. All of this I pray in Jesus’ strong and compassionate name. Amen.
A combined prayer from myself and Scotty Smith
May God bless you in this week we have been given.
Pastor Joe