I didn’t do a soap box Sunday this week so I’m doing a soap box Thursday instead. A few weeks ago my mom gave me some really good advice to pray for my “enemies.” I kind of took the advice tongue and cheek but I’ve been thinking about it since she said it.
The word enemy in and of itself is pretty strong, according to websters.com an enemy is “a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.” In flashes of anger I have at times felt hatred for others, and have even felt like getting even. Thankfully reason kicks in and these are just fleeting thoughts, part of my human idiocy factor I guess. I also know there are others who have felt this way toward me. I have been taught that it is a sin to feel this way, and as I have become an adult I know this to be true – these feelings are toxic.
In Matthew 5:44 it says “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” I decided I would try an experiment and take my mother’s advice and pray for my enemies. As I did this, I learned in this process that it is not enough to pray that your enemy’s hearts will be softened, that they will see things your way, or that they will come around. We must come to the Lord in all sincerity for this person and pray for this person independently of ourselves. We must pray to see these individuals as the Lord does, to love them as he does, and to pray for their happiness and well being.
This has been one of the most liberating and humbling experiences of my life. I suddenly felt compassion for someone whom I resented. I suddenly felt an appreciation for their set of circumstances. All feelings of hate and anger completely dissipated, and I suddenly felt peace.
I realize that this is an ongoing process that I must constantly be praying for my “enemies” day and night. It is not just a onetime ordeal. It is a difficult thing to do when you feel anger but the Lord wisely commands it. He does this for us, for our well being, so that we can feel peace so that we can move on.
1 comment:
Wendy, you are so inspiring!! I need to do this more often--pray for my "enemies." I mean, they may not even be that "enemy-like" but I think even praying for those I just have feelings of resentment toward, or have a hard time loving as the Lord loves them. It really does go to show that the natural man IS far from being like God, because he doesn't try to take that higher road. I think I slip into that more often than not, and really need to take advantage of that scripture in Moroni 7:48...
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
There you go! That's what you're doing!! This was my mission scripture. I need to be doing it too, that's for sure!
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