Pray for Your Enemies

 

Lately, I have been grieved by the actions of my fellow humans. Politicians (all parties!) using other fellow humans as pawns. Hate, greed, selfishness, and disobedience abound. Lying, cheating, anarchy, are not hard to find. Now before you get on the train of “The world is worse than it ever has been”, one needs to be a student of history. There have always been corrupt leaders. Abuse was happening then, it was just covered up or not talked about. Whole groups of people treated like mere animals. The list goes on. It makes one almost wish that they had the super power to zap the offenders in their heinous acts. The current political climate especially irritates me. I have even heard some who have said crazy things like “Someone just needs to take them out”. It’s kind of the superhero conundrum. I feel like there are lots of rules for us, but none for the bad guys. It’s a mess to be sure.

What is really amazing is that we feel this way, and we have it good. According to a report from Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Over 22,000 Christians have been killed in Africa just this year. In Somalia totals are harder to find, mostly because Christians have to stay hidden there, but it seems thousands have been beheaded for their faith there also. North Korea, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, all are also facing terrible persecution. Yet they continue steadfast and still try to show love and compassion. I fear they are more righteous than most here.

Jesus was no stranger to such things. He saw oppression, treachery, false accusations, and neglect first hand. If anyone had the right to zap someone, It would be Him. As the creator of the world he understood that violence and retribution are not the answer. In part of the Sermon on the Mount he said,

“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. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5: 44-48 NIV

Here’s where it hit me. I have whined, complained, argued, quoted statistics, and talked to others about what should be done, but there has been very little prayer about it. Do I think some of our elected officials are doing the wrong thing? Love & Pray. Do I feel persecuted by unfair taxes, laws or rules? Love and Pray. Has someone made a personal, unfounded attack on you? Love & Pray. It sounds counter intuitive, but it’s God’s way. Its’s the only way. I think the Apostle Paul summed it up well for us.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NIV

Blessings!