When I was a fairly new believer, I experienced a heartbreaking relationship. I was hurt, frustrated, and angry – but still cared very deeply for the other person involved. Not being extremely wise or well-versed in Scripture (and long before the days of Google), I sought out the counsel of a more mature Christian. I was hoping he could help me get a handle on those crazy emotions I was feeling and learn how to deal with painful situations like the one I found myself in.

My friend sent me to the Psalms – the 20th Psalm, to be exact. He told me to pray that Psalm over and over for this fella until I could honestly pray the words and mean them. I thanked him for his advice and hung up the phone.

Alrighty, how hard could that be? And that’s what I thought until I read the words. Hold up! These words were words of blessing, and they didn’t include me! This was a prayer for God to send good things to this guy, and I wasn’t necessarily in the frame of mind to want that! But I was just miserable enough that I was willing to heed godly counsel and pray on repeat:

“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;

may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May He send you help from the sanctuary

and grant you support from Zion.

May He remember all your sacrifices

and accept your burnt offerings.

May He give you the desire of your heart

and make all your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious

and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He answers him from His holy heaven

with the saving power of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm.

O Lord, save the king!

Answer us when we call!”

And do you know what happened? For sure not on Day 1 and probably not on Day 10, but after consistently praying for many days, God slowly softened my heart. He changed my perspective and taught me that true love is selfless love – wanting the best for the other person even if it doesn’t benefit me.

Within a couple of months, that fella got involved with another young lady. Gosh, it stung a little knowing I wasn’t the one for him, but I felt genuinely happy to see him so joyful. I was able to release him to the Lord and thank God for answering my authentic prayers on his behalf.

 Since that time – and it’s been a long minute! – I’ve prayed that prayer in many a difficult situation. And not one single time that I’ve repeatedly, sincerely prayed the 20th Psalm over someone has the Lord failed to soften hearts and bring His blessing.

I don’t know much, but I do know that sooner or later, you’re going to experience a hard relationship. It’s a part of life. And I also know that through prayer, God changes hard relationships in far better ways than you could ever imagine. Invite Him in, and watch Him work!

(Just a little fun fact – that fella eventually asked me to marry him, and the friend who advised me to pray that prayer ended up performing our wedding ceremony. Almost 42 years later, I still pray Psalm 20 for my husband.)

*****

“But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28