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A prayer of forgiveness Read: Luke 6: 27-36 The Bible in one year: 1 Chronicles 13-15; John 7: 1-27 ... Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you, and pray for those who slander you (verses 27-28. In 1960, Ruby Bridges, six years old, was the first African-American girl to enter a public elementary school of white students in the southern United States. Every day, for months, the federal police escorted her to a crowd of angry parents who insulted and threatened her. Once inside, already safe, she sat alone in a classroom with Barbara Henry, the only teacher willing to teach her. The prominent psychologist Robert Coles met with Ruby for several months to help her cope with the fear and stress she experienced. He was amazed at the 's prayer every time he went to school and returned home: "God, please forgive them because they do not know what they are doing" (see Luke 23:34). The words of Jesus from the cross, in the most agonizing hour of his life, demonstrated the radical response he taught his followers: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you, and pray for those who slander you. Be ye therefore merciful, even as your Father is merciful "(Luke 6: 27-28, 36). This admirable approach is only possible if we consider the powerful love that Jesus has given us; Love stronger than deeper hatred. Lord, help me today to forgive those who hurt me, as you forgave me. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. 
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Excellent message. Too often though, love and forgiveness are misunderstood to mean a feeling or emotion, when in reality, they are decisions and actions. Understanding this, it is easier to pray for people who treat us badly. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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