| Matthew 5:44 – “4But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” |
Yassir Eric knew his enemies when he was 16.
One was a classmate named Zakaiya, a quiet Christian boy. He was Yasser’s enemy since Ysir was a Muslim who devoted himself to jihad.
His noon prayers were petitions to kill Zakariya.
He got his chance two years later. Zakariya walked alone when Yassir and a friend beat him and left him for dead.
Yasir beamed with pride when he noticed Zakariya had vanished from school.
But life takes a turn, and Yassir’s uncle became a Christian. His certainties got upended. PHe started reading the Bible in secret and became a Christian. Now, others beat him.
Later, he was preaching in Cairo when a man limped toward him. HIs right eye did not move, and his shriveled hand hung.
“Do you recognize me? I am Zakariya.” He shoved his Bible into Yassir’s hand. As Yassir opened it, on the first page was a prayer list. The first name on it was Yassir’s.
“Because you hated me so much,” Zakariya said, “I always orayed for you.”
Jesus said to “love our enemies and pray for them.” It seems like an unreachable platitude. But it wasn’t. It was the way of the Master.
The next time you feel your jaw clench and your spirit tighten at someone who irritates you, look at the first page of your Bible.
Is there name on your prayer list?
- Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
