Comments on: The Most Difficult Prayer http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:34:22 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: jimmyd3 http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2545 jimmyd3 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:26:20 +0000 http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2545 <p>Well we’re back to humility aren’t we? C.S. Lewis talked about putting on the clothes of Christ even if at the beginning it resembles a game of dress up. <br /> This post ties in neatly with your “I am a pacifist...” <br /> Praying for our “enemies” reminds us that they are God’s beloved too. <br /> Good luck to us all! </p> Well we’re back to humility aren’t we? C.S. Lewis talked about putting on the clothes of Christ even if at the beginning it resembles a game of dress up.

This post ties in neatly with your “I am a pacifist…”

Praying for our “enemies” reminds us that they are God’s beloved too.

Good luck to us all!

]]> By: pat http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2544 pat Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:42:28 +0000 http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2544 <p>In my previous post, maybe I made my praying for enemies sound as though it came easily for me. </p> <p> It did not. </p> <p> I was told to fake the prayers until I could honestly ask God to bless my enemies.  At first, I did not think I could ever sincerely pray for certain people , but it happened - tho not overnight. </p> <p> In the meantime, I learned I could ask God to bless my enemies even tho my prayers were not sincere. </p> In my previous post, maybe I made my praying for enemies sound as though it came easily for me.

It did not.

I was told to fake the prayers until I could honestly ask God to bless my enemies.  At first, I did not think I could ever sincerely pray for certain people , but it happened – tho not overnight.

In the meantime, I learned I could ask God to bless my enemies even tho my prayers were not sincere.

]]> By: pat http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2543 pat Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:17:32 +0000 http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2543 <p>I pray, on a regular basis, for those I perceive to be enemies and those against whom I have resentments.  Additionally, I ask God to provide them with the things I most desire!  My baggage is considerably lighter as a result. </p> I pray, on a regular basis, for those I perceive to be enemies and those against whom I have resentments.  Additionally, I ask God to provide them with the things I most desire!  My baggage is considerably lighter as a result.

]]> By: Beth http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2542 Beth Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:11:43 +0000 http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2542 <p>There’s no way we can possibly do this in our own strength, though. I don’t think there’s enough self-discipline in the world. At least not for me. The only way is through the gospel message, that we were enemies of God, and Christ died for us. We have to remember how much we’ve been forgiven before we can forgive others, and how much our forgiveness cost. </p> There’s no way we can possibly do this in our own strength, though. I don’t think there’s enough self-discipline in the world. At least not for me. The only way is through the gospel message, that we were enemies of God, and Christ died for us. We have to remember how much we’ve been forgiven before we can forgive others, and how much our forgiveness cost.

]]> By: Ron Woods http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2541 Ron Woods Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:29:36 +0000 http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2541 <p>Fred Winters from Maryville, Illinois, was my friend.  I am having trouble loving right now.  That does not make Henri’s words any less true.  It simply makes them more challenging. </p> Fred Winters from Maryville, Illinois, was my friend.  I am having trouble loving right now.  That does not make Henri’s words any less true.  It simply makes them more challenging.

]]> By: euphrony http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2540 euphrony Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:32:19 +0000 http://shaungroves.com/2009/03/the-most-difficult-prayer/#comment-2540 <p>I wonder how many failing marriages would be saved by following this advice?  As a husband and wife break apart it is somewhat natural to see bitterness develop in their hearts toward the other, while at the same time the spouse is pushed away from that “intimate center”.  In divorce, your spouse is your adversary in so many issues.  As I read this quote, the first thing I thought about was what deliberate, determined prayer for an estranged spouse would accomplish. </p> <p> I’m not saying that it will heal every broken marriage, no more than praying for an enemy will make them not see you as their enemy (in every case).  But it will make you stop seeing your spouse as an adversary, and that’s a big step toward reconciliation. </p> I wonder how many failing marriages would be saved by following this advice?  As a husband and wife break apart it is somewhat natural to see bitterness develop in their hearts toward the other, while at the same time the spouse is pushed away from that “intimate center”.  In divorce, your spouse is your adversary in so many issues.  As I read this quote, the first thing I thought about was what deliberate, determined prayer for an estranged spouse would accomplish.

I’m not saying that it will heal every broken marriage, no more than praying for an enemy will make them not see you as their enemy (in every case).  But it will make you stop seeing your spouse as an adversary, and that’s a big step toward reconciliation.

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