If your enemy is hungry,

give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty,

give him water to drink,

for you will heap

  burning coals on his head,

and the LORD

          will reward you.

          Proverbs 25. 21-22

(Not just seeing

       the situation differently,

but seeing the person

              with compassion,

and responding

              with a new heart.

What is really at stake

       in this relationship?

Not our hurt

     but their desperate need.

Respond in a way

that is unexpected, surprising

          and gracious.)

O LORD,

We pray for Your immense strength

      to be strong, courageous

                           and kind.

Being gracious is always

          the right thing to do.

Please help us to be

     faithful in all things,

even in hard situations,

even with difficult people,

knowing that

     You are gracious to us.

May the reality of Your love

    be seamlessly woven

    in how we see others.

Order our days.

Guide our steps.

Direct our thoughts.

Align our hearts with Yours.

For Your glory.

             Even in this.