Praying for our enemies

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

I was listening to our local Catholic radio station on the way into work today. Father Bob was talking about how to pray for our enemies. He had a wonderful suggestion and I thought I would share it with you all.

Pray the Chapel of Divine Mercy for your enemy in this manner:

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for So & So’s sins and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on So and So and on the whole world.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on So and So and on the whole world.

I know that I am going to try it!

 

[Crusaderbear]

Post this as a new thread under prayer intentions to get it going! Just make sure people keep it to first names or initials!

 

[Tis_Bearself]

That’s a great suggestion, putting their name specifically in the Divine Mercy chaplet.
I’ll try that.

Forgiving our enemies was also the theme of the homily at morning Mass today. The priest talked about how our “enemies” are generally those people who are a thorn in our side on a regular basis (inspired by the sermon I just started a prayer thread for one of mine) and that when he complained to his priestly superior about one of them, he was told, “That person was put in your life specifically because you are the one who is supposed to pray for them.” I thought that was an interesting way of looking at it.

I have been making an effort for a few months to pray more for my enemies and forgive them. (This is still an “effort” and I am by no means “there” yet!) I was inspired by the “Pardon Crucifix” sacramental, as I happened to receive a rosary that had a Pardon Crucifix on it.

courageouspriest.com/the-pardon-crucifix

(By the way, I do NOT recommend paying $44.95 for a Pardon Crucifix at that link…you can get a nice one for MUCH less if you look around the web.)

I don’t think the indulgence is in force any more, but it’s still a nice way to remember to pray for and forgive your enemies. I am not sure how this Pardon Crucifix “disappeared” as I never heard of it growing up in a Catholic household, but the combat rosary makers seem to be using it a lot nowadays and you can also find old ones on eBay. Anyway, every time I find myself with the Pardon Crucifix in my hand to say the Rosary or Divine Mercy, I pray to forgive my enemies and ask God to forgive me like I forgive them.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Post this as a new thread under prayer intentions to get it going! Just make sure people keep it to first names or initials!

LOL yes I almost did that myself started a thread for my specifically most annoying “enemy” instead!

 

[tawny]

Praying with all.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

I like the hymn by Graham Kendrick as a blessing for our enemies.

May the Lord bless you
May the Lord keep you
And may God’s face shine upon you always
May the Lord bless you
May the Lord keep you
And may God’s face shine upon you always
And give you peace.

He sings it at…

grahamkendrick.co.uk/content/graham-kendrick-songs/banquet/the-peace-now-may-the-peace-of-the-lord

 

[Dorothy]

Love and kind words can stop another person’s malicious intents in its tracks.

God’s love is the greatest power in the world. Our attempts to have that love flow through us brings about many good things! When we begin to notice those good things we want to grow in His Love even more.

The enemy is satan and he has deceived others. We don’t want the evil one to win.

A tidal wave of prayer and the love that comes out of that prayer can do so much!

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is an excellent pray to pray for ourselves and others!

 

[Beryllos]

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for So & So’s sins and those of the whole world…

I think there is some risk when we focus on our enemy’s sins, even as we pray for their atonement. First of all, what do we really know about the sins of our enemy? Could we be guilty of rash judgement? Are we really praying for our own situation to be improved? Are we feeling superior, like the Pharisee of Luke 18:11, “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector.”

Perhaps prayers for atonement and mercy on behalf of our enemies should be tempered by prayers for ourselves: That we may be patient; That we may see the good in our enemies and help that goodness to grow; That we may see that our enemies are in need, spiritually and perhaps materially; That we may desire and work toward all that is good for our enemies.

Then, without dwelling on their sins, we may pray for their conversion, that God may lead them toward virtue and faith, and that God may provide for their needs, which of course includes his mercy.