Articles
Excuse Me! Pray To Who!?
Our enemies are enemies for a reason, right? (Putting misunderstandings, that occur more often than we care to admit, aside for the moment). They hurt us, betrayed us, cheated us, sought to destroy us. As such, they deserve no compassion, no forgiveness, and no reconciliation — only the same pain they brought to us!
This is, often, our quick response — retaliation. But, far from a vengeful spirit, God requests and requires a prayerful one! Why else does Jesus teach in the sermon on the mount, “…pray for those who persecute you…” (Mt. 5:44)? In fact, Jesus exemplifies this while hanging on the cross — “…Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing…” (Lk. 23:34).
We often think that we have a good reason for hating others, but Jesus says His disciples have no business doing so. Even when the opposition is purposeful, Jesus demands a heart absent of malice and lips full of prayer.
How Hard Can This Get?
Look at who Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit in Christ’s instruction, says to pray for: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Paul is telling these Christians to pray for, even, the Roman empire here and its king. This government was responsible for the worst kind of persecution and injustice towards Christ’s citizens. Crucifixions, torture, being set on fire and used for light in the streets, fed to wild animals -oddly enough- for entertainment, beatings, floggings — for what? For professing Christ as Lord God, the Creator, the Resurrection and the Life!
You can imagine the Christians in the 1st century asking with labored breath, “You want me to pray for that guy?” God answers clearly, yes!
Don’t misunderstand, Paul’s instruction wasn’t to act like or lie that the king or government was the greatest in the world. It was to keep them focused on who was truly in charge (Rom. 13:1); to keep them grateful for God’s provision (Rom. 13:4); to remember how they’re behavior reflects on their citizenship of a heavenly Kingdom (Rom. 13:2; Phil. 3:20).
As 21st Century Americans
We have an election coming up, and so many are worried -even terrified- about the potential results. Myriads of individuals in our country have made clear what they feel about one or another winning and becoming the ruler. It is almost always expressed in vile and nasty terms. The consensus, even among many self-proclaimed Christians is, “There is no way I could support that individual, let alone pray for them.”
(1) Praying for someone is not supporting their lifestyle or occurring sins. Jesus certainly didn’t do that in Luke 23:34. It is praying for correction, or repentance leading to salvation, or for wisdom.
However, we don’t want to fall into the trap of a false (bitter) prayer where we cultivate self-righteousness and curse those we dislike — much like the publican with the tax-collector.
(2) Not praying today is, objectively, less excusable than it was in the first century. Paul instructed, with conviction, for those Christians to pray for their rulers who caused such horrid torment and persecution. If they had no valid reason to disregard what Paul says here, we much less so!
However, let’s say things get worse here in America sooner than expected. Will we have an excuse then? God will still expect this high standard from us. The question is: Will I prove to Him that I love Him enough to do this, or will I show the opposite by neglecting it?
