 In Matthew 6 when Jesus was teaching people how to pray, he said we should ask that God's kingdom will come. The word for kingdom here actually means reign, so Jesus is saying that we should pray that God will reign, that his laws will be obeyed. The NIV Bible goes on to say, "your will be done" (your will is what you want). So what is God's will? What does he want us to do?
 Our tongue is a tool for both good and evil. James 3 verse 9 tells us that we use it to praise God, then we use it to curse and criticise people who God made in his image. That's like telling me I'm amazing, but the gingerbread men I made are rubbish. I would be upset by that. God just wants us to love each other and be kind to each other. As a parent, I know how upset I feel when my children are not getting along. God must feel the same when we criticise each other. So use your tongue to encourage, to compliment, and to be kind.
 Image courtesy of Ben White (Freely Photos) "Are you for real?" I hear you say. Hey, it wasn't my idea - it's in the Bible. These were the words of Jesus. In the verses following this one he says, Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. One of the things that should distinguish us from the rest of the world is that we should love and be kind to everyone - not just the people we like. Tax collectors were considered the scum of the earth in Bible times - dishonest and dodgy. When he says to pray for your enemies, I don't think he meant to pray for God to bring disaster upon them. I think he wants us to pray for them to find Jesus, and be healed of their hurts (physical and emotional). I challenge you to think of someone who you despise and pray for them.
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