Day 2-So far, so good

A celebration at two days is a little premature, but I have to take the opportunities as they arise.

My Prayer:
Psalm 119: 116
Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.

The Reading: Matthew 4-6
Matthew 5:46-48 (The Message)
43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

48"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

Matthew 6:6-15 (New International Version)
6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

My thoughts: As I was reading this, I thought about my post about someone asking if I was praying for her and how sad it is when I can't answer "Yes." I am supposed to be praying for her, but I feel disconnected so it's hard to pray. The pipeline is broken. Last week, I had 2 other prayer requests which were even harder. I like the first person. Persons 2 and 3...not so much...each has said something about me or to me that I can't forget. So what do I do? This one is sort of easier...I have to forgive them, I feel like I have to pray for them. I want my sins to be forgiven. Even better, I'd really like for mine to also be forgotten. So I did say a quick,specific prayer for Persons 2 and 3 last week. Then, of course, I ruin it all by patting myself on the back for doing the right thing. Maybe I can redeem myself with Person 1. She's worth the effort. So for her, I pray for wisdom and joy and blessings so that she will see that God is good. I know that Jesus became God with Us for me...and for her. I'm praying that she'll see that too. I really hope that starting late can be made up for with sincerity!