April 29, James 5:16-18

When someone provokes us, we often retaliate. When someone tells a lie about us, we often spread rumours about that person in return.We dislike people who do nasty things to us. Have you prayed for them? Praying for your enemies is not easy, but Jesus has told us to pray for them and others who are against you.

More than 200 years ago, slavery was allowed in America. Slaves worked on farms. Most of them were often treated badly. There was a young Christian slave who worked very hard and did his work cheerfully. Over time, his master had no money and sold him to another master who did not believe in God. When it was time to leave, the former master told the new master that the slave was a very good worker but he always prayed. The new boss boasted, “I’ll soon whip that out of him.”

The slave proved faithful to the new master but when he was found praying, he was sternly warned, “You must not pray around here. Never let me find you with this nonsense!”

Did the slave stop praying? No, just like __________ (unscramble IEADNL) in the Bible, he talked to God. This time, the master did not spare the flogging. Tying him to a post, he lashed many times across the slave’s back with all his strength until he was exhausted. The slave was bleeding badly and was untied. Even though he was in terrible pain, he went away singing. He carried on working all that day even though blood oozed from his back where the lashes had torn his skin.

God was using this for good. That night, the master saw his own cruelty and wickedness. He could not sleep. He felt that he was going to die. He woke his wife up and asked her if anyone would pray for him. “Nobody, except the slave whom you punished this morning,” answered his wife. He was not sure if the slave would. What do you think?

The faithful slave came into the master’s house. He exclaimed, “I’ve been praying for you all night.”

Thought: Do you pray for your enemies?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to pray for the needs of fellow believers as well as the unsaved so that they will come into Thy saving grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
(Story adapted from ‘How God Used A Thunderstorm’ by J R Beeke & D Kleyn)