Jeremiah's enemies were plotting against him and trying to destroy him (Jer 18:18). Jeremiah reacted to this as most humans would. He tried to defend himself and retaliate. Jeremiah prayed for the children of his enemies to starve to death or die by the sword (Jer 18:21). Then Jeremiah prayed for the wives of his enemies to be childless and widowed and for the men to die of pestilence or be killed in war (Jer 18:21). Jeremiah was prayerfully vengeful, and often so are we, although we usually aren't as open about this as Jeremiah was.
"To err is human, to forgive is divine." So Jeremiah and all human beings do not possess the power to forgive. We have no choice but to be unforgiving, although unforgiveness is a poison that will kill and damn us. What we can't help doing will destroy us. Thus we are in an impossible situation. However, Jesus is divine and therefore He has the power to forgive. He will give this power to us. He will save us from damning ourselves because of unforgiveness.
Right now, make the decision to accept Jesus' power and to forgive all who have hurt you in any way. By Jesus' grace, forgive all for all. Do the humanly impossible. Act on a supernatural level. Forgive and pray accordingly.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I repay evil with good (cf Jer 18:20; see also Rm 12:21). |
| PROMISE: | "Such is the case with the Son of Man Who has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His own life as a Ransom for the many." –Mt 20:28 |
| PRAISE: | Rather than complain, Edward prays for those in government. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College