Brave. So much meaning in one little word.
Webster’s dictionary defines brave as “feeling or showing no fear : not afraid”.
There are days I’m sure my picture is right there alongside that definition in the dictionary. Other days, not so much.
This morning was one of the latter days. I was out for an early morning run. The sun was just peaking over the horizon. The air was chilly but not uncomfortable. My dogs were all romping in the crispness of the morning. Everything was right with the world!
Well, not everything. I was praying for those held in bondage by human trafficking. Praying for their freedom and deliverance. Asking God to help make His presence very real to them and help them hold on for freedom.
Then the Holy Spirit took over and I was praying for deliverance for their captors and abusers. Those guilty of capitalizing on other people’s mistreatment. People hurting innocence.
Whoa, stop right there!
Why would I want to pray for these people? I didn’t want to. Ok, I will admit I wanted to pray for them but to get what they have coming to them. Punished for their unthinkable acts towards fellow human beings.
I just about stopped running honestly. I was confused and a little repulsed at the thought of praying for deliverance when my frail, little human heart just wanted to take revenge on them.
“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (NLT)
God is still on the throne. He is in control of justice. It’s NOT my job. I have to be brave enough to trust Him with the justice of these people as well.
I don’t believe that means that they shouldn’t have to answer for their crimes in our judicial system. Not at all. It does mean that I will ask for the Lord’s help to be brave enough to pray that these perpetrators will be delivered from the hold evil has on them. “But there is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.Isaiah 48:22 (NLT)
It’s SO much easier to pray for those I love or those I know are being hurt by others. To pray for those doing the hurting is just plain tough. But…if we pray for those consumed by evil to be delivered from it we will be acting as true children of God.
“You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. Matthew 5:43-47 (NLT)
Brave. That is what I choose today. Brave enough to pray without fear for ALL that are effected by human trafficking. Brave enough to trust God that justice will be served for everyone. Brave enough to really believe that good triumphs over evil.
Praise God that His perfect love casts out all fear! May He empower us for boldness to speak His truth. Linked up with you at Tell His Story — hope you'll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
God bless,
Laurie
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
Laura, thanks for inspiring me to #livefree today and be "brave enough to pray without fear". Thanks for sharing on the linkup today! Hope you have a wonderful day, Kim Stewart
http://www.kimstewartinspired.com
Thanks for stopping by Laurie. I spent some time on your blog and really enjoyed it. Will be back. Thanks!
You are such a blessing Kim. Thanks for your encouragement. Blessings to you!
Your bravery is admirable. Oh, how my heart goes out to the victims of abuse. I fear for them but like you, today I'll bravely pray for their safety, freedom and justice.
Thank you for this reminder.
Let's all be brave together and the wicked will have no chance of winning.
Thank you for such a challenging word. What if we were all brave enough to pray for all the evil hearts in the world? Would we experience a revolution? A revival? What if…Thank you for your brave and beautiful words today.
Yes — and what can God do with one soul redeemed from the power of the enemy, within and without? I think of Saul….
Yes, yes, yes! You encourage me to be brave in thinking about what the results will be. You encourage me to be brave in thinking bigger than me. I love this! Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Yes, brave enough…to pray for those who WE FEEL DESERVE OUR PRAYERS. I have felt those exact same sentiments. But, as you point our so clearly, God has a far greater plan for each one of us.
Thankful you are my neighbor at Janis'.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
So happy you'll be joining me in praying! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for your kind words! A revival would be amazing!!
Definetly! A Saul/Paul conversion throughout the world would sure rock the enemy on his heels huh! 🙂
Thanks for cheering me on Kelly! I love your encouragement.
Thanks Linda, I appreciate your kindness and glad we're "neighbors".
Isn't it amazing that God loves all? I lost my job in November 2014 and the doctor I worked for had hired his sister-in-law. She was a very troubled woman and never liked me. Made me miserable. It is so difficult to pray for her but I find myself doing it, actually for all of them and their wicked desire for the love of money. Money is a source of trouble for many. I also pray for people in abusive situations, the natural disasters, all the things going on in our world. I enjoyed reading your post and am thankful you posted this. Have a beautiful week.
The longer I live this christian life the more I realize that this is what proves to the world that we belong to Christ. Enjoyed meeting you today and love your heart coming out though your words.
It's amazing the healing that can happen in us when we turn it over to God! Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for your support!
Amen! 🙂
Amen! 🙂
Great post! I pray that their minds would be healed and they would turn from their wicked ways into soldiers of justice! God bless!
I'm no where near brave and am thankful God is
@spreadingJOY
Amen!
So thankful we can do what God calls each of us to do through Him. Thanks for stopping by!