Persecution hurts

It is much easier to ignore persecution from people you don't know; however, when it come from a friend or acquaintance it hits home and stings quite a bit more. Lord I pray for the people who persecute others, especially the one I have in my mind right now...you know who she is, Lord. I pray that I will not lose my temper or my nerve with her and others I'm faced with in the future. I pray you have mercy on the ones who laugh in my face when I talk about you Lord. I pray you open their eyes to seeing that You are real and use me to help show them Your countless wisdom and love. Thank you Lord. 

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44 ESV)

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12 ESV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you." (2 Corinthians 4:7-12 ESV)