I turn to You, Lord when darkness nips at the light pulsating from my heart. There are those that surround me who would like nothing more than to pummel me with fists of frustration and drag me into the futility of retaliation. Let me not succumb to my fleshly desire to defend myself. You are my defense. Your love is the rock that I stand on, Jesus. I have a firm foundation in You no matter how rocky the seas of my life become. I submit to the pressure of Your molding hands. I fall gladly beneath Your grace. Reveal to me my part in any conflict, lest I miss an opportunity to forgive. You have called me to walk the harder path, Lord. Take me by the hand and lead the way because my feet continually seek to find the less treacherous road. Enable me, Lord, to love the unlovable as You have loved me. In Your Name I turn away from those who persist in positioning themselves as my enemy. In Your Name, I will love those who mistreat me until Your light diffuses all darkness that surrounds us. Under the wisdom of Matthew 5:44-45 and the authority of Christ Jesus, I humbly pray.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:44-45, NIV