THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE

It’s never been easy for me to pray, much less for my enemies. What am I supposed to say to God on behalf of someone I don’t like, or who doesn’t like me? Why should I wish their lives to be easier when they try to make my life so hard?

The answer is simple, but it’s not easy. It’s what Jesus would do. It’s what he did. He prayed for the very people who would beat him beyond recognition, set Him up in an illegal trial and murdered Him without compassion or remorse.

This is not easy, but it is what He asks of us. In fact, it is for us, by bringing peace to our hearts, even if it does not change theirs. It may not make you feel any better about them. Love is not a feeling, it is an action. It does mean that you will please your Father. It does mean that you are maturing and becoming stronger. It does mean less fuel for the fire of hatred. Where there is love, there is Jesus. It will speak louder than your anger and will affect more than any argument or scripture you quote trying to validate yourself.

Love and kindness are actually the most powerful weapons on Earth. Love is the power of God. So bless your enemies; not necessarily to their face, because this can be seen as being spiteful when someone’s angry with you. Pray for them to be happy and fulfilled. Pray for them to have peace and to prosper. Cover their lives and their families with prayers of hope and joy, and watch God give them all to you.

— Kermit Quarles, inmate, James River Correctional Institute, State Farm, Va.

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist