It never gets old having a front row seat to how God is working in your businesses. We don’t always get overnight answers to messy situations, but this week a request we lifted up on Wednesday was answered by Thursday morning — and the owner got to tell us firsthand what the power of prayer looks like in real time.

This morning our prayers over the registry are from Matthew 5:44-45 where Jesus instructs those listening with, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Praying for enemies isn’t my first instinct when I feel used, manipulated, or misrepresented. In business, we tend to view competitors as enemies — are we really supposed to bless them and pray for them? These seem like upside-down instructions from Jesus, but they’re exactly what He asks of us.

As we prayed over the registry this week, we sensed God asking you to be:

• Thankful for a new way to approach adversaries and adversity;
• A peacemaker, even when it’s the more difficult path;
• Moving toward peaceful solutions in every situation;
• Considerate, even when you’re misunderstood;
• Working from a position of abundance rather than fear and scarcity;
• A prayerful presence in your industry and your community;
• Full of love in your heart toward your neighbor, even if he’s a competitor.

Some of the businesses in the registry are facing real persecution — bribery expectations, government extortion, and corruption at multiple levels. We are praying for their persecutors on their behalf. If I were in their position, I’m not sure I could bless the very official threatening my ability to keep the doors open. It is an honor to stand with each of you, and we are grateful to be kept in the loop.