A professor at Florida State did some prayer research and turns out he statistically proved that couples forgive and cooperate more easily when they pray for their partner after an offense. Not all that shocking, but nice to have the science to go along with the Word. What struck me was the whisper in my spirit that asked, "What if you prayed for your enemies? Again."
I've had some offenses lately. Some pretty minor but offenses none the less and I've allowed these to alter my behavior and thoughts. Now, sometimes it is good and smart and holy to alter your behavior. But the ruminating over and over on an offense that is so very hard to let go - that's never a good idea.
It seems almost backwards. As if praying for the person as long as needed to be set free would be the ruminating. I mean, you are stopping to focus on that person. But, if you don't continuously & purposefully pray for them then the offense is like a constant white noise draining energy from your heart and brain. That's when you dig yourself a deep hole and when hurt & anger wakes you up at 3am.
It can be scary to pray for a repeat offender because forgiveness means you might let your guard down and feel stupid again. But that's the risk you must take to be truly free. It is possible to forgive someone while maintaining healthy boundaries - you can feel the compassion of God's heart towards a person and still tell them they are not allowed to bully or manipulate you anymore.
Here's some thoughts from Mrs. Beth on this issue: http://blueprintforlife.com/blog/loving-difficult-people/
Link to research: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130514184139.htm
First read on Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience blog, http://www.aholyexperience.com/
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