In the middle of this week's text, the Apostle Paul urges us to:

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

Prayer plays an important role in shaping our approach to those who would potentially do us harm. Jesus reminds us (in Matthew 5.44) to pray for those who persecute us. When we contemplate (think deeply about) our enemies from a position of blessing (and not cursing) in prayer; our minds, hearts, wills, and imaginations begin to encounter these enemies differently outside of prayer. When we pray regularly, prayer becomes a major influencer in the way our hearts, minds, wills, and imaginations are shaped. We can change our attitudes toward our enemies. Prayer is a pathway to change, but it coaxes out change slowly and steadily over time. If you don't often pray for your enemies, begin to incorporate your enemies into your times of prayer and begin to see the change in your own heart, mind, will, and imagination as a result.

About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC