“When people’s lives please the Lord , even their enemies are at peace with them.” Proverbs 16:7 NLT

Who doesn’t want their enemies to be at peace with them?!  I know I sure do. But how? It turns out that we have the ability to influence the environment with our enemies beyond just wishful thinking. The solution is not even words or an apology, though those help. It is not a single event that changes the environment, it is a pattern. The writer tells us that we need to develop a pattern of having our lives be pleasing to the Lord. 

The thing that is most pleasing to the Lord is that we have a relationship with His Son Jesus. How else do we please the Lord? We might immediately think in terms of faith expressions like Bible reading or worship, or omitting certain behaviors, but following God’s commands is a key part of pleasing Him as well. One of those commands, from Jesus Himself is directly related to our relationship with our enemies. 

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”  Matthew 5:44 NKJV

God chooses to move through the prayers of His people, and when we pray for our enemies, things change. Our enemies may not change as we pray, but our heart towards them certainly will. And if our heart changes towards our enemies, that might very well be just the thing that allows them to be at peace with us. 

This week please the Lord and pray for your enemies. 

In His Hands,

John