PERFECT DAY DEVOTIONAL
Every Day. His Presence. His Purpose.
Sunday, 18th October 2026
Praying for the Person Who Hurt You
Their name still catches in your chest when it comes up. You’ve forgiven them, or you’re trying to, but praying for them specifically, actually asking God to bless them, feels like a step further than forgiveness should reasonably require.
Jesus didn’t leave that step optional.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
The One Point:
Jesus isn’t asking you to feel affection for someone who hurt you before you’re ready to. He’s asking you to pray for them, which is a different, more manageable act, one that doesn’t require your emotions to catch up first. Praying for someone who hurt you isn’t pretending they didn’t, and it isn’t fast-tracking reconciliation or restored trust. It’s a specific act of obedience that quietly loosens the grip that person and their offense has over you, even while your feelings are still catching up to your obedience. The prayer changes something in you, whether or not it changes anything in them.
Thought to Ponder:
Who have you forgiven in principle but haven’t yet actually prayed for by name, and what would it cost you to do that today?
Prayer:
Father, I don’t feel ready to pray for this person, but I’m choosing to anyway.
Bless them, in whatever way You see fit.
Loosen what this offense still has a grip on in me. Amen.
Today’s Declaration:
“I can pray for the person who hurt me, even before my feelings catch up.”
Today’s Step:
Say a specific prayer today for the person who hurt you, by name, out loud, even briefly, even if it feels difficult.
Further Study:
Luke 23:34 (Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing)
Romans 12:14 (Bless those who persecute you)
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© 2026 Rev Emmanuel O. Adejugbe. All rights reserved.
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