Even In How We Pray

 

But we ought always

to give thanks to God

             for you,

beloved by the Lord....

      2 Thessalonians 2. 13

Thanking God for someone

doesn't just change our attitude

toward them,

     but allows our hearts

            to pray for them.

 That encompasses those 

we don't have a 

   natural affinity,

even the irritable 

            or rebellious,

or who might not like us.

God has placed them

in our lives,

      on our paths,

and in our hearts

  for eternal reasons.

Instead of avoiding them

         or being critical,

  what if we let God

    change our triggers

by intentionally thanking Him?

God loves them.

Praying for them allows us

         to love them too,

maybe right into His Kingdom. 

O LORD,

We confess that we have had

    a lack of compassion

    and a boat load of complaining

about so many people around us.

Align our hearts with Yours

and empower us to

         approach them differently

         with Your grace and love.

And not grow weary,

   even in how we pray.