Matthew 5:45
For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Dear Heavenly Father,
When you bless the earth and those in it, everyone receives the blessing of your goodness. The sun comes up every morning for everyone to enjoy. You bring the sun and rain, so the crops grow; while we are here on this earth, believers and unbelievers are equally blessed with food, drink, and oxygen, so we survive. Jesus said these words when he told those around him to love their friends and enemies. What an example you provide for us. You send your good gifts to those who are right with you in faith and those who are not. To be righteous means that we trust the good gifts you have given us, including the forgiveness Jesus won for us on the cross. We believe only through faith your Holy Spirit has created in us. As food and water are for all, so are your grace and mercy. However, your love comes to us by trusting in Jesus’ salvation. Forgive our sins when we see inequality in others, becoming loveless, and snap at those who do not know you, the unrighteous. So we pray that you will help us show love to our enemies and let our new nature in Christ shine into the world as an example of your love for them. Before we were called by the Spirit and given faith in Jesus, we were your enemies; you forgave us all our sins because of Jesus’ death. Thank you for letting your light shine on us today; give us strength to reflect your love into the world and share the good news about the one who brought the food and water. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God loved those who had his Son killed; it was us because of our sin he sent him to die in our place.