I heard Joyce Myer yesterday telling everone to pray for their enemies. What good will that do? Has anyone done that? What happens?
2007-06-21 03:51:34 · 20 answers · asked by tiaburkeangry 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
wow i think your mind is not ready to understand that powerful statement!
get a grip
i've done it, and i have many ex-enemies now they're my friends
2007-06-21 03:54:40 · answer #1 · answered by Not of This World Returns 3 · 7⤊ 2⤋
well, i dont know who Joyce Myers is.....but in the 12-step program that i am a part of, we have a thing called the resentment prayer.
That is where you pray for people you have resentments for and pray that they receive everything you want in your life. We are usually instructed to do this on a nightly basis for at least 2 weeks, sometimes 3 or 4.
By doing this, it takes away the resentement you feel over the situation, so that you can come to acceptance. Have i done this? Yes....and what happens is the more i actually say it, the less anger and resentment against that person or situation i actually feel.
I have found that it is a very heavy load to carry around anger against others, and this is a healthy way to release that anger.
It has been working for others for decades now.
Blessed Be )o(
2007-06-21 11:10:37 · answer #2 · answered by trinity 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well America has not won a war since it prevailed - with the Allied Forces - in WW 2. It has just suffered embarassment, and has usually seen the reverse of its objectives come to pass. For instance, its intervention in Asia pretty much ensured that the only state that did not turn to communism was Thailand - the one state it did not mess with.
And the less that is said about the total shambles that is Iraq the better.
Clearly fighting is counterproductive.
So why not try something else?
2007-06-21 10:57:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Praying for your enemies is a bit like seeing someone starving and, instead of giving them food, praying for them. It's a way of pretending you are doing something to help someone when you really can't be bothered. Why is this person your enemy? What's the root of the whole issue? It takes two to interact.. neither party can be totally blameless. Instead of praying for your enemies, pray for yourself to be a better person and make tangible efforts to be better. Let your "enemies" deal with their own problems. Focus on yourself rather than trying to change other people. The truth is, what we despise most in others is exactly what we despise most about ourselves, but we just won't admit it and do something about it.
2007-06-21 11:15:17 · answer #4 · answered by Cheryl E 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes I have done that many times. The Bible says to pray for our enemies and those who use us. Ppl say prayer doesn't change things but that isn't true it does. It can make an enemy a friend and change there heart and yours.I do it and it's better to have friends than enemies right?
2007-06-21 11:02:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a tradition in the southern U.S. ("the south") that one of the best kinds of revenge against an enemy is to be kind to them. This is because your enemy will most likely feel guilty or ashamed and not be able to return the kindness, thereby giving you a victory over them.
Maybe something akin to this philosophy is what praying for your enemies describes.
2007-06-21 10:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Praying for the enemy is NOT for him/her; it is for ME !! As posted above, ala 'the resentment prayer' it releases strong negative feelings that I am compelled to carry.
But more important than this, as it is written, it is easy to pray for your friends; but, to pray for your enemies, that is difficult and God's will. Why?! Also, as posted, look at this world of hatred and malevolence; which is the result of non forgiveness. Therefore, God, in His brilliance introduced (via Jesus) this idea -- forgive enemies so that I am not attached to them (did you know that hatred is a form of attachment). Then, I can do the mature Christian thing of: 'vengeance is Mine, says God; I will repay'.
I hope this helps you comprehend this great spiritual Truth, a little bit.
Maranantha
2007-06-21 11:45:25 · answer #7 · answered by Bill S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Joyce Meyers is a strong woman of faith, & this is what Jesus told us to do. So? I trust & obey the Lord. So, of course I pray for my enemies also.
People who are a threat to my well being are also in danger of hell fire. So? Do I want them to suffer hell fire? No. I want them to repent & come to Gods redeeming grace. Jesus changes them from the inside out & they are no longer my enemy.
2007-06-21 10:56:51 · answer #8 · answered by LottaLou 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES?"
One could interpret this as pray that they repent and seek forgiveness for their sins, so that they too can find salvation.
"What good will that do?"
If nothing else, it reminds us that they too were created in the image of God and deserve to be treated as such.
"Has anyone done that?"
Yes.
"What happens?"
Results vary. Sometimes it helps defuse a situation, sometimes it doesn't (at least not noticeably). At the very least, it helps remind me of what's important.
2007-06-21 11:23:29 · answer #9 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first step to self-healing. You can't enter heaven angry unfortunately. TO ERR IS HUMAN, TO FORGIVE DIVINE. It is the stuff of divinity, of getting closer to God who has a bigger list of greivances that He forgives. It is even more possible that the other person may change through directed prayer.
2007-06-21 10:57:49 · answer #10 · answered by defOf 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Reminds me of this Irish toast:
May those that love us, love us; & for those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts; & if he can't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles; so we may know them by their limping.
In all seriousness, I can't explain my opinion on this one better than trinity.
I will continue to pray for my enemies; may they continue to pray for me.
peace
2007-06-21 12:41:50 · answer #11 · answered by Colin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋