Praying for my "enemies" - should I?

[Questionhaver]

I must confess, this heart of mine has no love for the Islam.
In fact, I have reached the point where I would without a second’s doubt consider it and its practitioners a danger to our society. An attitude that’s seemingly supported by daily newspapers, I dread. And I’m not even talking about terrorism yet but about the misanthropic and misogynic “ideals” that are thaught within it.
However, dei gratia I have been able to treat mussulmen like everybody else. Wicked though their believes may be, they are creatures of God’s, as we are.

And yet, I eventually concluded that the mussulmen are an enemy to me, us (the latter here meaning our societies) and our Lord, although I have remained reluctant to openly consider them thus.

:bible1:
[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 5:43-44[/BIBLEDRB]

Now, though I may already be praying for more love from my part, I was wondering whether it were appropriate to pray for the mussulmen themselves or whether by doing so with the intention of praying for my enemy and thereby “officially” considering them my enemies I would be going against the “loving” part of the command.

Your thoughts?

 

[4elise]

I must confess, this heart of mine has no love for the Islam.
In fact, I have reached the point where I would without a second’s doubt consider it and its practitioners a danger to our society. An attitude that’s seemingly supported by daily newspapers, I dread. And I’m not even talking about terrorism yet but about the misanthropic and misogynic “ideals” that are thaught within it.
However, dei gratia I have been able to treat mussulmen like everybody else. Wicked though their believes may be, they are creatures of God’s, as we are.

And yet, I eventually concluded that the mussulmen are an enemy to me, us (the latter here meaning our societies) and our Lord, although I have remained reluctant to openly consider them thus.

:bible1:
[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 5:43-44[/BIBLEDRB]

Now, though I may already be praying for more love from my part, I was wondering whether it were appropriate to pray for the mussulmen themselves or whether by doing so with the intention of praying for my enemy and thereby “officially” considering them my enemies I would be going against the “loving” part of the command.

Your thoughts?

The simple answer, yes. If you wish to be a follower of Jesus Christ this is our call, to love all people, to pray for our ‘enemies’.

I would encourage you, if it is available to you, to take a comparative religion class or visit a mosque. It has been my experience that as people actually learn what is taught by a faith, one sees more of the similiarities rather than the differences - than this prayer, this love becomes so easy. We see each other as brothers and sisters, all children of God and then we can respect each other, even if we do not believe the same things.

St. Francis example would be one that I believe we should strive for, be a living wittiness to our beliefs and love all men regardless of theirs.

Blessings to you and congratulations on being willing to examine this challenge in your own heart.

 

[LilyM]

I like the idea of taking St Francis as a rolemodel. During the Crusades he went to where his ‘enemies’ were - the Holy Land. And he talked to them - not that he agreed with them, but he didn’t treat them or speak to them as inferiors or treat them like dirt on his feet either. And achieved more with his attitude than the crusaders with their swords and violence.

Think about how you would talk to a dearly loved family member - your parent, spouse, sibling or child - if they were doing something that you knew was deeply wrong. I trust you would treat them with dignity even while disagreeing with them.

 

[4elise]

I like the idea of taking St Francis as a rolemodel. During the Crusades he went to where his ‘enemies’ were - the Holy Land. And he talked to them - not that he agreed with them, but he didn’t treat them or speak to them as inferiors or treat them like dirt on his feet either. And achieved more with his attitude than the crusaders with their swords and violence.

Think about how you would talk to a dearly loved family member - your parent, spouse, sibling or child - if they were doing something that you knew was deeply wrong. I trust you would treat them with dignity even while disagreeing with them.

That visit of St. Francis to the Islamic leaders in the Holy Land was the exact story I was thinking of… and this very counter cultural way of relating to others was viewed as unique then as it is today… but that is the Commandment we were given again on Sunday in the Gospel — we were given a new Commandment - not a suggestion - a Commandment - LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST HAS LOVED US… the most counter cultural message of all time!

 

[Vjerovati]

How about to make it a little easier, focus on praying for their conversion all the time when you see them, or hear of them, or even just think of them, instead of specifics on things they do that make you mad, or things they do that are wrong. Focus on praying for them before considering them yours or God’s enemies and maybe the love will come after. God will help you do this, he prayed for those that hurt him, and dined with the sinners remember? I think that acknowledging an enemy is really just acknowledging someone you have a harder time getting along with then other people, you don’t have to have enemies ever again, just challenges.

 

[vera_dicere]

As soon as I learnt who Osama bin Laden was, i started praying for his soul and for his conversion to Christianity! I mean, could you imagine the headlines, the amazing example of God’s saving grace if that fella stood up and said “I denounce Islam, Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour”! What a great day that would be.

I know its hard to pray for our “enemies” I recently had a rough time at a job, which I subsquently lost due to teh lies and hatred of my co-workers, someone said I shoudl “curse” them in God’s name, but instead, I thought why not pray for them, what a wonderful thing indeed it would be if they repented their lies and sin and turned to God. Even though its been months since I lost that job, and I’m really having a rough time finding a new one, and a few other irritants to do with my chosen career, because of their lies, I still pray for them.

If I got hit by a bus tomorrow, I will go home to be with God with confidence that Jesus paid the cost of my salvation. But if some of those women who lied and practiced witch craft were hit by a bus, their salvation might not be so well assured. I really didn’t like what they did, but I dont’ want them to burn in hell for it.

What I’m trying to say, is instead focussing on what annoys you about them, or why they are your enemy, instead focus on the great day it will be when they find God. Let the joy of the Lord and of Heaven when a sinner returns be what your motivation is.

 

[Spirithound]

Now, though I may already be praying for more love from my part, I was wondering whether it were appropriate to pray for the mussulmen themselves or whether by doing so with the intention of praying for my enemy and thereby “officially” considering them my enemies I would be going against the “loving” part of the command.

Love is a choice, and so I think that it is possible to love someone that you know does not like you, and so is your enemy. And yes, you should pray for them

 

[Christophus]

I share this struggle with you, and all I can offer is what has worked for me.

As much as I have struggled with judging and hard-heartedness towards Islamic extremist, I perhaps struggle even more with liberals and people who voted for Obama, which I see as voting for abortion.

I have been praying the chaplet of Divine Mercy daily, using the beautiful “Divine Mercy in Song” on CD. I offer it up for all who I struggle with loving, all who I judge, all who I quickly dismiss and have hateful thoughts towards.

I have noticed I’m not as quick to judge and mock inwardly and in cases of “road rage,” I’ve become more peaceful, forgiving, and more quick to forget.

Be “greedy” for the graces you want, and ask Mary to pray for you. Jesus will pour them out in abundance if we but ask and, of course, are receptive to receive them.

I will pray for you. Peace and good, Chris