Shaun Groves
The first thing we are called to do when we think of others as our enemies is to pray for them. This is certainly not easy. It requires discipline to allow those who hate us or those toward whom we have hostile feelings to come into the intimate center of our hearts. People who make our lives difficult and cause us frustration, pain, or even harm are least likely to receive a place in our hearts. Yet every time we overcome this impatience with our opponents and are willing to listen to the cry of those who persecute us, we will recognize them as brothers and sisters too. Praying for our enemies is therefore a real event, the event of reconciliation. …There is probably no prayer as powerful as the prayer for our enemies. But it is also the most difficult prayer since it is contrary to our impulses.
~ Henri Nouwen
euphrony says:
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.
Ron Woods says:
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.
Beth says:
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.
pat says:
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.
pat says:
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.
jimmyd3 says:
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!