The Power of Prayer

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3

Parents, teachers, and coaches spend a great deal of time telling their children, students, and players what they want them to be. "I want you to be holy." "I want you to be hard-working." "I want you to be disciplined." But they know it's not enough to tell kids what they want them to be. They have to show them how to become what they want them to be.

Jesus, the master teacher, understood this better than anyone. He began the Sermon on the Mount with eight statements on what his disciples are to be. We call those statements the Beatitudes. But then he shifted his sermon to teaching people how to become his disciples. Jesus knew the people who would follow him and learn from him were prideful—they thought way too much of themselves. So if, to be his disciple, they had to become poor in spirit, they needed to know how. One way Jesus taught them to humble themselves was this: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Anyone can love his friends and pray for his family. But when you demonstrate love for the people you don't like and pray for the people who don't like you, you start to change. You see people the way God sees them: as sinners in need of grace. More importantly, you begin to see yourself the way God sees you: a sinner in need of grace. The more you discipline yourself to seek the good of your enemies, the more you become a disciple of Jesus.

Father, I am not better than my enemies. I'm just like them. I need grace. Help me to love them and to become like you.