Praying for Our Enemies
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust." Mt 5:43-45
A friend of mine pointed out to me yesterday that often at Mass here in Colorado Springs (and I'm sure in many cities) we pray regularly for the men and women in our armed forces. This makes sense since there are so many military bases around the Springs, and about 40% of the population is former military members. He asked me, "how come we never pray for our enemies? I've never heard anyone pray for Osama bin Laden, or Kim Il-Sung, or FIdel Castro."
He caught me off guard. In the Masses in which I lead the prayers of the faithful, I try to include a wide variety of groups of people, and often look through the paper before Mass for ideas. I've prayed publicly for criminals, illegal immigrants to this country, and politicians, but somehow I had not thought to include terrorists, enemy combatants, members of the mafia, drug pushers, the fallen executives of Enron, or heads of state of the "axis of evil." It hadn't really crossed my mind.
Now that it has, I will try to include these folks in our public prayer. I'll probably preface such prayers with "Jesus taught us to pray for those who persecute us..." Why? Because I'm a coward. I suspect some people would take exception to prayers for terrorists and suicide bombers. Yes, the things they do are despicable (I was horrified at the recent report that two women with Down's syndrome were fitted with explosives that were detonated by remote control as they walked through outdoor markets).
Yet, do we believe in the power of prayer, or not? Do we believe that God's grace is effective and capable of transforming lives - even the lives of our enemies? What would happen if Christians who want a swift return of our troops from Iraq and Christians who want to keep our troops there until Iraq has a stable government all began praying for a change of heart for the terrorists? Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Is there any chance at all that He may know something that we do not? If we aren't willing to trust Him, is He really our Lord? I suppose this is nothing new. He said to his own followers, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?" Lk 6:46
Perhaps, however, it's time for us to change, and to take Him at His word.
Labels: prayer
posted by Fr. Mike, O.P. @ 10:37 AM
4 Comments
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4 Comments:
1. Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For Mother In Israel Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ
2. Pray For In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Attorney General
—Eric Holder
Secretary of State
—Hillary Clinton
Chief of Staff
—Rahm Emanuel
Chair, Council of Economic Advisers
—Christina Romer
Please Pray for Street Bullies In The Name Of Jesus Christ & Pray For Schools
Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
I’M RAYING FOR YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME
Prayer for families is the very foundation that keeps a family unit together. Have you heard the phrase "A family that prays together stays together"? The concept is true - a family that has their focus on praying to the Lord Jesus Christ has a foundation that may be shaken at times, but it will withstand all that comes against them.
Prayers for Justice and Peace
Please Pray for Other People Have Heart Problem. & Diabetes, In The Name Of Jesus Christ &, Athesma Problems.
And the Blind In The Name Of Jesus Christ. Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ… Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ…
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
I do pray that any of our nation's leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
Praying For Every One Around Me
Pray For Our Enemies
O God, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I do pray that any of our nation's leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen
Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For Mother In Israel. Pray For USA Mothers, & russians women, Pray For Muslim Women To, Please. Pray For Working Mothers, Pray For Singel Mothers, & Singel Great GrainMother. Will Have Peace in There Heart. Mothers Who Do Not Know U As There Saver Salvation Will Get Saved In The Blood Of Jesus Christ
Pray for Your Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ:
The Apostle Paul gives us two prayer examples of what to pray for regarding the Body of Christ in Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21. Pray these prayers for your Church Leaders, your Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and for yourself.
God promised Abraham He will bless those who blessed him and curse those who curse him. This promise was not only for Abraham, but for all of his covenant descendants - the Jewish people. Pray that our leaders will make the correct decisions to make our country a blessing to Israel. Also, Christians need to pray that the nation of Israel will recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior, that they will have peace and success, and that they will possesses the land that God has promised them. (Genesis 12:2-3, 15:18-21, 17:8, 17:21, 22:15-18, Deuteronomy 30:2-5)
Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Pray For In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
Attorney General
—Eric Holder
Secretary of State
—Hillary Clinton
Chief of Staff
—Rahm Emanuel
Chair, Council of Economic Advisers
—Christina Romer
If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (NIV)
Pray For Our Youth & Young Adults.In The Name Of Jesus Christ
A family that prays together stays together.
Please Pray for Street Bullies In The Name Of Jesus Christ & Pray For Schools
Pray For The Family Live Be side me & Around me. Bless There Home & Work & Shool. Bless There health to, & The One's who do not know Jesus As There Saver Salvation will Get Saved In The Blood Of Jesus.
Prayer of a Mother whose children are no longer at home. In The Name Of Jesus Christ
I’M RAYING FOR YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME
Prayer for families is the very foundation that keeps a family unit together. Have you heard the phrase "A family that prays together stays together"? The concept is true - a family that has their focus on praying to the Lord Jesus Christ has a foundation that may be shaken at times, but it will withstand all that comes against them.
Prayers for Justice and Peace
Please Pray for Other People Have Heart Problem. & Diabetes, In The Name Of Jesus Christ &, Athesma Problems.
And the Blind In The Name Of Jesus Christ. Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ… Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ…
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
I do pray that any of our nation's leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
Praying For Every One Around Me
Pray For Our Enemies
O God, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I do pray that any of our nation's leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen
God’s word is clear on the who and the what of Singing praises to God.
God’s people are to Sing Praises to God with spiritual songs about the Lord with melody
FATHER GOD SEND REVIVAL, AND LET IT START WITH ME" Let your spirit revive! Pray For USA troops In The Name Of jesus christ.
Pray For USA Troops In The Name Of Jesus Christ, Pray For The Vets In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Pray for Denmark, & China, & German , & Pray For USA. In The name Of Jesus christ
Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation. In The Name of Jesus Christ
Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For Mother In Israel. "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved"
Pray For USA Mothers, & russians women, Pray For Muslim Women To, Please. Pray For Working Mothers, Pray For Singel Mothers, & Singel Great GrainMother. Will Have Peace in There Heart. Mothers Who Do Not Know U As There Saver Salvation Will Get Saved In The Blood Of Jesus Christ
If my people...
who are called by my name will humble
themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then...
I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Pray for Your Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ:
The Apostle Paul gives us two prayer examples of what to pray for regarding the Body of Christ in Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21. Pray these prayers for your Church Leaders, your Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and for yourself.
God promised Abraham He will bless those who blessed him and curse those who curse him. This promise was not only for Abraham, but for all of his covenant descendants - the Jewish people. Pray that our leaders will make the correct decisions to make our country a blessing to Israel. Also, Christians need to pray that the nation of Israel will recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior, that they will have peace and success, and that they will possesses the land that God has promised them. (Genesis 12:2-3, 15:18-21, 17:8, 17:21, 22:15-18, Deuteronomy 30:2-5)
Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Pray For In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
Attorney General
—Eric Holder
Secretary of State
—Hillary Clinton
Chief of Staff
—Rahm Emanuel
Chair, Council of Economic Advisers
—Christina Romer
President: George W. Bush
Vice-President: Richard Cheney
Secretary of State: Colin L. Powell
Secretary of Treasury: Paul O'Neill
Secretary of Defense: Donald Rumsfeld
Attorney General: John Ashcroft
Secretary of the Interior: Gale Norton
Secretary of Agriculture: Ann Veneman
Secretary of Commerce: Donald L. Evans
Secretary of Labor: Elaine Chao
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Tommy Thompson
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Mel Martinez
Secretary of Transportation: Norman Mineta
Secretary of Energy: Bill Richardson
Secretary of Education: Rod Paige
Secretary of Veteran Affairs: Anthony Principi
Supreme Court Justices:
William H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)
David Souter
Sandra Day-O'Connor
Clarence Thomas
Anthony Kennedy
Antonin Scalia
Steven Breyer
John P. Stevens
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (NIV)
Pray For Our Youth & Young Adults.In The Name Of Jesus Christ
A family that prays together stays together.
Please Pray for Street Bullies In The Name Of Jesus Christ & Pray For Schools
Pray For The Family Live Be side me & Around me. Bless There Home & Work & Shool. Bless There health to, & The One's who do not know Jesus As There Saver Salvation will Get Saved In The Blood Of Jesus.
Prayer of a Mother whose children are no longer at home. In The Name Of Jesus Christ
I’M RAYING FOR YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME
Prayer for families is the very foundation that keeps a family unit together. Have you heard the phrase "A family that prays together stays together"? The concept is true - a family that has their focus on praying to the Lord Jesus Christ has a foundation that may be shaken at times, but it will withstand all that comes against them.
Prayers for Justice and Peace
Please Pray for Other People Have Heart Problem. & Diabetes, In The Name Of Jesus Christ &, Athesma Problems.
And the Blind In The Name Of Jesus Christ. Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ… Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ…
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
I do pray that any of our nation's leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
Praying For Every One Around Me
Pray For Our Enemies
O God, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I do pray that any of our nation's leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen
God’s word is clear on the who and the what of Singing praises to God.
God’s people are to Sing Praises to God with spiritual songs about the Lord with melody
This great Nation.. the United Kingdom is in serious need of a revival. Please join your prayers with us as we ask God to bring revival to this nation. It will start in his church.. God's church needs and has to repent on an individual and corporate basis. Please pass on to all your friends
This is a good idea, and we should certainly pray for our enemies, but it begs a question which has never been answered for me. And that is , if God gives us all free will to accept or reject Him, then what are we praying for Him to do when we pray for a person's heart to be changed? God will not force Himself on a person who doesn't want Him. So would you say we're asking God to reveal Himself so clearly that the person cannot help but believe, and have a real change of heart ( much like Paul, when he was knocked off his horse)?
I sure hope you know the answer to this, because I've puzzled over it for years, even as I've prayed for certain family members who have rejected Christ.
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