Jesus Christ often did the unexpected, and so we as His followers should do the same. When the world is dark and we are feeling persecuted by others, the natural response is to hate or hit back. When terrorists cause harm, it is easy to want to generalize and hate and point fingers.  It’s easy to want “an eye for an eye” – and this was how people lived in the Old Testament.

But Jesus said something different. He said, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Can you believe that? He actually said to love and pray for our enemies. Jesus knew that if we pray for those who hate us in His name, we will see them as real people. As hurting people. As lost people. Even the worst, most hard-to-love people on this earth need Jesus’ love and salvation. Even if they want to do us harm, we need to pray that they find the love of Christ. If anything will change their lives and attitudes, it’s the love of Christ entering their lives, if they repent and trust Jesus Christ with a sincere heart.

The next time you see a news story about someone doing harm, refuse to be hardened with hatred. Instead, surrender your hurts to the Lord, and pray for those who do harm. Pray for the lost. Pray for nations to be turned around, for the good of their people and families.  For the good of the world, even.

This is Luis Palau.