Transformation

LORD,
The person who has hurt me the most keeps coming to mind. My guess is that you have something to do with that. And I don't think you are bringing him to mind so I can plan how to hurt , but rather so I can pray for him. Is it possible you could change this person into a loving, on-fire believer? I don't doubt that you can. If you can turn the murderer Saul into the apostle Paul, you can certainly do a work of transformation in my greatest enemy. You are the God of transformation! But too often , in my sinful nature, I don't want you to do your work of healing and change in others. Help me to be eager for transformed lives. Lord, the next time I find myself hating that person who makes my life miserable, transform my heart so that I pray for him instead. Then don't let me be surprised if I see you begin to change him. I know you'll be changing me, too!

*** The Lord said, " Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul.....I have showed him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again. " " But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, " I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers of Jerusalem!..." But the Lord said, " Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel." ACTS 9:11-15***

I'm sure at times we have all experienced a great enemy. One in my life had been a fellow church attendee. Its upsetting to say and think of even now a year later. I won't share specifics but what transpired was a great difficulty. I know now that my silence during this time was pleasing to God because as much as I was hurt she was hurting even more. The great lesson in this is that sometimes people act and say things out of anger to a physical form in front of them. Its not necessarily meant for you. Continuing to pray for them and yourself is a must and needed for change.