A few short days and Christians around the world will be celebrating Easter.  Have you thought about what Christ said as He was crucified?

Jesus had been crucified between two criminals and as He hung there on that cross He prayed…
He prayed for those who had condemned Him to die and He prayed for those who were carrying out His execution.

(NASB) Luke 23:34 “…Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus had taught:
(NASB) Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Then, on that cross and as He was dying…He prayed for His persecutors.

How do you pray for those who offend you?
How do you pray for those who are persecuting you?
According to Jesus’ words and example…how should you be praying for those who offend, persecute, and/or are unkind to you?

How can anyone do this?  Consider the following Scripture: through the power of Jesus Christ we can do what God calls us to do.  By faith in Jesus Christ we can follow His example:


(NASB) Romans 12:1-2 “THEREFORE I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Transformed thinking comes from a renewed mind…where do you need to submit to God and “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”?