April 20

When you cover your family relationships in prayer, whether it be with children, parents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, husband or wife, there will be far fewer instances of strained or severed relationships.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

A few years back we studied a book at church titled "The 11th Commandment: Experiencing the One Anothers of Scripture" by Don McMinn.  The book delves into what the author penned as the eleventh commandment, along with some additional 'one anothers'.  Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35).   The Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes says:

The Christian is commanded to love, in a greater and special way, all true Christians, whether or not they are members of one's own church or followers of one's particular theological persuasion.  (1) Believers must distinguish true Christians from those whose profession is false by examining their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ and their loyalty to God's holy word.  (2) Any person who possesses a living faith in Jesus Christ and remains loyal to God's inspired and inerrant Word as he or she sincerely understands it, while standing against the prevailing popular spirit of our day is my brother or sister in Christ and one who deserves my special love and support.
 

Loving true Christians, in theory, is not hard because we should all be on one accord.  And even if we're not, we have prayer, forgiveness, grace and mercy to get us back on track.  The true challenge comes, as Ms. Omartian mentioned, in those familial relationships.  Oftentimes, those closest to us are the ones that hurt us the most.  The very people that know us intricately, are the same ones that can betray us intensely.  Those that have known us all our lives are quick to remind us of our past, but Paul reminds us to forget those things which are behind us and press toward the prize that is in Christ Jesus.  When we cover our family relationships in prayer, loving those closest to us may be a little easier.

Lord, help us to love one another as You have commanded.  Let us seek the good in others, even when we're not necessarily afforded the same.  Teach us how to pray for those that despitefully use us and forgive so that we are forgiven.  If there are any strained or severed relationships in our lives, we pray that You open the door for reconciliation and healing and help us to walk through it!  Help us be obedient to Your command that we love one another, not just in word but also in deed.  In Jesus name, Amen!