Unnatural Prayer

Being a Christian means doing the opposite of what human nature desires many times. Praying for your enemy is one of them. Thoughts of revenge can be satisfying and fulfills a baser element in our flesh. But it is not what we are told to do according to scripture.

One was to do this is set aside a specific time of day, and pray for those who wronged, annoyed, or trespassed towards us. For instance, make a habit of setting 8pm aside for a couple of minutes to do just this; I know this will take discipline. Remember that many are in need of prayer themselves, and may be hurting inside. It's forced, of course; maybe disingenuous. But I believe after time passes, we can see those who wronged us as flawed people with their own weakness and demons, just like us. We can then see ourselves in them and their own humanity, instead of enemies. If necessary, ask for God's grace in letting the bitterness of anger mar your soul. Let Him know your struggle to forgive, and that you seek to do what He commands you to do.

Why do this? First, it is because Christ commanded it. Matthew 5:43-45 states: "43You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' 44"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…"

Second, it is good for our soul not to become embittered with hatred that festers through the years and disturbs one's peace that gives us our witness to others. We remember that we, too, are human and have made mistakes and hurt people as well, and that humbles us and we learn from it. Would we want those who we hurt to forgive us? Prayer cannot be just expressing our desires and whims, it should also about us becoming better people. We can't all minister only to our friends, anyway.

Temporal things that give momentary pleasure, such as intoxication, arguing, pettiness, grudges, and the like are anathema to the Christian life; it goes against the human grain. But those temporary pleasures can be our permanent downfall if we let them. Let's be better about it.
 

Remembering the Old Me

I encountered someone I believed standoffish and distant in a cafeteria I worked. He never looked at you as you walked by, nodded, or said hello. I thought perhaps he just did not like police officers and felt insulted, but I later learned that he was like that with everyone. I grew uncomfortable in his presence.

Then I remembered: He reminded me of myself some years ago (and, unfortunately today, to a lesser extent), almost to a tee.

Someone angry and depressed at a world who misunderstood me, that loved to talk about things among their friends, and making me an outsider as a result. There was a time I longed for friendship and acceptance, then it disappeared. Stung by romantic breakups and not liking the things others did, I became a loner. That cast me in the eyes of many as unfriendly, and the cycle continued. A bar was a place to go and listen to music get out of the house, enjoy a beer and a smoke, and observe pretty young ladies. However, I was an observer to the crowd at large, socializing and having fun among friends. There was a time when I may have been jealous of the gathering of companions, commiserating on the travails and humor of life, but I eventually became cold to it. I became numb to what people thought of me or how I was perceived.

Eventually, I found a group of friends that I could relate, and found jobs where I found purpose in them, and did not see people as the enemy anymore. I grew more concerned to the well being in others, and learned the best way to fight depression and rejection was to lose myself in the concerns and the helping of other people.

I don't know what demons this young man has (don't we all have them). Maybe that's just his personality and I need to learn to respect that and not take it personally. Or maybe I should reach out to him others did for me 20 years ago. Whatever happens, please pray for us both.