Prayer.

When I pray I typically pray for my needs, health concerns, my family, friends, church, urgent requests I read, but it wasn't until earlier this year I realized I needed to pray for those who have hurt me. I was talking with a friend at a retreat and we were discussing our fathers and the lack of a relationship we have with them. She told me that doesn't stop her from praying for him. He may not be part of her life but he still needs prayer.

I was flabbergasted. Why had I never prayed for my dad? Well, it was because I harbor some deep anger towards him. 

Who am I to decide he doesn't need prayer? He deserves God's grace and blessings just as much as I do. 

Ever since then I've prayed for my dad a lot. I pray that he is happy and healthy and is blessed. 

Earlier tonight I suddenly and randomly got the urge to pray for someone that isn't on my favorite person list. This guy was someone I met during my extremely difficult time last year and he wasn't the best person. He was in and out of my life for a year and was extremely emotionally hurtful. I haven't talked to him in 6 months so when I felt the overwhelming urge to pray for him I almost didn't want to. Well, I didn't right away. Nope. You were mean so I'm not going to pray for you. 

Well, you know God is persistent. So I prayed for him. I have no idea why he needs prayer and I won't ever know but there had to be a reason.

Praying for those who have hurt you, people you don't like, are just as deserving of prayer as you are. 

It can be hard to pray for someone like that but you need to.