Who wants to push the envelope on their prayer life and brotherly love?

Question

What do you think about this exercise in praying with a thankful heart?

1) Think of a person that bugs the crap out of you. I don't mean somebody who occasionally annoys you. I mean somebody who consistently makes you want to wring his skinny neck.

2) Say a short prayer of thanks for that person, but (this is the hard and the important part) make sure that when you pray there isn't any rancor or hate or ill-will in your heart; make sure that when you pray for that person, you are feeling nothing but thanks to God for whatever lesson that person teaches you.

Caveat: Your prayer can't criticize that person; you can't tell God "to heal that idiot" or "teach him the error of his sinful ways." It has to be a prayer of thanksgiving for that person and you have to do it with as much love in your heart as you can.

I'll settle for good will if mustering up true brotherly love is impossible.

Answer 1

Yes, a good idea.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5: 43-48

Note that jesus does not say to merely tolerate your enemy. You are to LOVE your enemy.

But this verse is a bit confusing. If you truly love the other person, would you still consider them an "enemy"?

Answer 2

I tried that for years and prayed I would be healed and still even though I have forgiven the person for what they did, Hate them in my heart. If I have any sisterly love for this person then it is ONLY Gods not mine.

I shall give it another go and see what happens. I just can't see what to be thankful for where this person is concerned.

Answer 3

I know first hand how difficult this can be, at first. As you begin to heal and sensitize your own heart, it becomes much easier. It also began to be more sincere the longer I practice this.

thnx Jon for bringing up this fine point

Answer 4

OK this is a REAL challenge!
It is one of the most difficult things to do riht uo there with forgiveness.
I will try and do the best I can.
I guess I should stop saying things like "Gods going to get them , but I can't wait!"

Answer 5

Actually I try do that.....if that person ever becomes your friend you will probably have a friend for life, and see things from a different way. Prayer you know is not to change the other person it is to change us......

Answer 6

I wonder how hard it was for the Apostles when they were actually killing people right and left. They would have HAD to depend on the love of God because they couldn't have been all that loving then by themselves.

Answer 7

I will go one further. You should also ask God to heal and rid your heart of dislike for that person. BTW great question.

Answer 8

man, thats hard to do. when I pray for somebody I dont like its hard to put my head in a space that I can be thankful for him in any way. made me realize that sometimes when I pray for my enemies I do it with a lot of anger not with love. good exercize.

Answer 9

Oh boy - one person came immediately to mind, and this is going to take more than one try!

Great idea!!

Answer 10

honestly..as a Christian wife, Im called to do this everyday for my husband, no matter how retarded he is acting. (did I say retarded...I mean spiritually challenged.)

after lifting him up...everyone else is a piece of cake.