Having the Mind of God

by Keith Butler | The Anointed Word

“Jesus said ‘But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you'” (Matt. 5:44 KJV).

We are commanded to pray for our enemies just as Jesus prayed for us. Jesus prayed for us while we were yet sinners. We ought to be just as eager to pray for those who are acting ungodly toward us.

Why? First, our prayers will stop any further persecution that a person may have against you. Second, our prayers open the door for God to move in that situation.

God will do something about that person who is using you, or cursing you, because of your prayer. Further, He will do something for you because of your prayer. Blessings will still come your way because you act on the word instead of retaliating in the flesh.

The citizens of the United States have much to pray for. When terrorists attacked our nation on September 11th, churches all over the globe went into prayer. I believe that because of that prayer, the attacks were not able to continue.

They had more planned than what we saw, but something has been blocking it. I’ll tell you what has been blocking it. It is the prayers of believers. And believers must continue in prayer about this issue as fervently as ever.

Sadly though, the church now is starting to get as lax as the country is getting. That is how you open the door for the enemy to come back again. So we need to remain diligent because there are people all around the country that have been strategically placed to do harm to us. But they can’t move when prayer is prevailing. Thank God!

Now Jesus prayed for us. We see in John 17:9 that Jesus said, “I pray for them…” He is talking to the Father.

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:9-11 KJV).

Notice that Jesus is praying that we have unity. We need to be one. What causes unity to come and remain is that the people’s hearts have become like God. That is what happens when you pray. With everyone’s heart becoming like God, we become one as Jesus prayed.

The more you pray the more you pick up God’s heart and attitude. When you spend time in prayer and you are seeking the Father’s face, particularly on the behalf of others, you activate God on the inside of you. And He begins to change you, and change you, and change you, and change you. And it is that change in you that causes you to be a person who prays for your enemies.

Scripture References: Philippians 2:5-11; Romans 12:17-21


Keith Butler Ministries
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.

He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).

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