This morning, God gave me such a powerful reminder of the need to pray for others. Especially those you’d really like to yell at, pound on, and gossip about.
We sat in a meeting with the principal at my son’s new school. As I’ve shared in previous posts, we’re moving him because of some intense and scary bullying that is emotionally crushing him. He was withdrawing, his grades were dropping, his motivation was waning.
We couldn’t get him out fast enough.
When we were done, the principal prayed for us. She prayed specifically for my sweet Sam and asked God to mend his broken heart and to help the transition to be smooth. She thanked God for the giftings Sam would bring to the school. Loved and appreciated it!
But then she went… there.
She began to pray for those kids who had been bullying Sam. She asked God to bless them and prayed that they would become better friends.
Awkwaaaaard.
Why? I realized in all the council I’d given my son, praying for his enemies wasn’t something I’d encouraged him to do. In my Momma-Bear anger, praying for those twerps never crossed my mind because I was in protection mode for my son.
But I was wrong, because we’re clearly told to do so.
“ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)
Come again?
It’s hard enough to do this when I’ve been wronged, but it’s so much harder when it’s my baby. I wonder if you can relate? But you know what? We need to put on our big girl undies and do what God is calling us to do.
- When your friends talk behind your back… pray for them.
- When your boss throws you under the bus to cover his mistake… pray for him.
- When your husband has an affair… pray for him.
- When your parents disown you… pray for them.
- When you get flipped off by the driver behind you… pray for her.
When you do this, it keeps your heart from rotting with anger. It releases you. It doesn’t make right how you’ve been wronged, but it protects your mind and heart from bitterness and unforgiveness.
Even though it goes against my flesh, I’m gonna pray for ’em anyway.
Father, we need your help to tender our hearts so we can pray for those who persecute us and the ones we love. We confess our lack of forgiveness, our anger, our hatred, our vengeful thoughts and other emotions and thoughts we entertain. Make us more like you, Lord. Help us be an example of what that looks like. Amen.
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I cannot tell you how your posts have been ministering to me lately. Thank you!
My children are no longer children in age (of course they are always my babies though). However, when my youngest was in grade school she (and pretty much everyone else) had to deal with some pretty awful bullying. It was a nasty bunch. It was a very small school in a small town. I remember one day her coming home and saying “Mom is there anything in the Bible that will help me?” So, we pulled out the verse “Bless those that curse you, do good to those who spitefully abuse you.” It was SOOOOO hard giving her that verse because I really wanted to do some heavy damage to those who were hurting her.
This is going to sound unbelievable but 11 years later and one of those girls is now one of her best friends AND one of her greatest encouragers in following the Lord. Sometimes, I have to shake my head.
I am not saying that this is how it will end for your child, however, I do know that in following such a path — praying for a forgiving spirit and praying with a forgiving spirit for those bully’s you and your child will be freed from the curses and power of the evil at work in this situation (and make no mistake it is evil!)
My prayer is that all of your hearts will be healed. This is such a horrible thing to have to go through. For me it was one of the worst expriences of my life (imagine for my “baby”). But looking back, the thing I wished I had done was rest more in the Lord and wait on Him. Even in this, He is good, and wise and in control.
Sounds like you have done a good thing in taking your child to a new school and that he will be blessed in your decision. (We didn’t have that option at the time).
Debbie
huge!
I learned this one with that little girl that felt Elizabeth should never have been born!!! I had to guard my heart to not take up an offense against her. God worked in my heart as much as He did Elizabeths!
I, as well, have a few peeps I would like to slug. Be nice to mean people…. even speak blessing over them??? Is this really necessary. O.K. O.K. Will do. I receive this. Jesus help us to love the way that you love.
Ha! I can see you opening one eye during her prayer and your eyebrow being raised! God Bless you, Carey!
Dearest Carey,
I am so proud of you, as I know how devastating bullying would be to your sweet boy. His heart is tender and pure and without your guidance and a world of prayer he would have given up in a big way. I would love to visit with him about his new school and offer encouragement if you feel like that would be a good idea. If not I understand. He is very dear to my heart. His brilliance and deep thinking are a gift to this world. You know me, I cannot stand for one minute to have his heart hurt. There is such a difference between being tough and directive and getting a job done and hurting the heart of a child. When we see a need for the soul of our children, we need to act. YOU DID THE BEST AND RIGHT THING… Love You!!! Janet
You would REALLY save me a lot of paper and organizational headaches if you would just compile all these and put them into a book!!! Every day you hit me with something that I want to remember so I print it out and tuck it into my stuffed full Bible! Write a book already and I’ll prepay for the first copy! IF, of course, you’ll sign it!!! 🙂
AND sooo glad to hear your sweet boy is where he is!!! I hope and pray it is a HUGE blessing for him!!!!
So glad Sam is in a safe place with a principal that prays for his enemies. What a model!
Still praying for your hearts as Sam (and you) continue to heal.
Much love.