I think it is easy to pray for those who appreciate us and are kind to us. There is mutual significance there. We assume they are probably praying for us too!
Is it harder to sometimes pray for those who “despite-fully use you”.
As a mom of teenage boys I sometimes feel despite-fully used. They sometimes appreciate me, but usually they completely take me for granted and often I feel let down or hurt by their behavior or attitude.
The other day I made dinner for the family, a favorite meal for one specific son, who often doesn’t eat with us. I specifically told him what time dinner was and he said he would be there. Then I texted to confirm and he said he was on the way home. So I added the last bit to the oven so it would be ready a few minutes after he returned. Well, he was home 45 minutes after dinner was ready. He completely couldn’t understand why I was upset. He was happy to heat up his dinner and eat it. He didn’t say thank you. He was just mad that I was upset. I felt used.
My natural man instinct was to yell and lecture. To be honest that is what I did. I don’t know that it helped in any way at all.
Another maybe more effective choice would be – treasure the moments my boys do appreciate me and pray for help in forgiving them over and over again as they learn to be men instead of boys. Pray for them to learn quickly and that they can show respect and love. Pray I have the wisdom and patience I need to mother them into manhood.
Have you felt despite-fully used? Pray for guidance on how to handle the situation. If you need to forgive, pray for help to do that. Also remember, it is OK to set appropriate boundaries! But do it kindly. 😉 Maybe not in the heat of the moment…. I will try to remember that for next time.
Matthew 5:44 “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you.”
#LightTheWorld