And who is my enemy?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-46)
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-8)
Do not neglect the gift that is within you. (1 Timothy 4:14)
"Love is willing the good of the other" ~ St. Thomas Acquinas
I have been mulling this post for almost 6 weeks! I was sitting out on our patio, the sun was beating down on me, and St. Paul’s words were being chewed. Paul’s admonition to pray for others was blending with his exhortation to not neglect the gifts we are given by the Holy Spirit. One of my charismatic gifts is intercessory prayer and on this particular morning I realized that I had definitely been falling short, not just for those in my inner circle, but especially as St. Paul exhorts, “for all people- for kings and those in authority.” I am very good at criticizing and lamenting. I am very versed in saying, “There is nothing I can do about this, it is outside my scope of influence.” This may be true in this earthly realm, but there is another realm where I do hold sway, and the power of prayer cannot be underestimated. As these revelations brought light to this call upon me, Jesus’ words shined greater light, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” In my prayer space Jesus’ words shortened to, “Pray for your enemies.” In that moment I asked Jesus a clarifying question (you can do that, you know). I echoed the pharisetical question about neighbors, “And who is my enemy?” The answer pierced my heart: “Those that you refuse to pray for.” Slayed! He is so very right (He always is)! Immediately people came to my mind. The people within my own circle that vex me. The ones who I find easy to judge (and yes, I know what Jesus has to say about that!), the ones whose words easily wound me and I harbor anger, hurt, and resentment, and the ones I don’t agree with. These are the people that I hold court within my thoughts, you know what I mean, telling them just what I think in such a manner as to make them realize their error. What I don’t do is pray for them: Mission Accepted. Six weeks ago I endeavored to shut down my inner diatribes, cut them off as soon as I recognized them, and in that space of time replace anger/frustration/hurt with prayer for that person. I had the realization that most of the acrimony that we face in life comes from a space of absence and desire. We desire something from another, but they came up short (absence). Here’s the thing: they came up short because within their own life is an absence of what they desire as well. This knowledge can unleash mercy, mercy is love in action, prayer is asking God to bring grace to this person, grace brings good to the other, love is willing the good of other, therefore: prayer for our “enemies” is willing their good. Here is what I can witness after my six week introductory mission: I have less (I’m still a work in progress) inner diatribes with others which means I have more personal peace and quiet (which is just what St. Paul promised). In praying for others I suddenly feel that the things that were out of my control are now something that I can take action upon by handing them over to the One Who Is In Control. Prayer changes things. We are living in a society that I believe is too quick to say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you” and short on actually taking the time out of our day to truly lift people in prayer. If your enemies are those you fail to pray for, who is your enemy? Who can you lift in prayer today? “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Amen.
