Key Steps for Praying for the Enemy and Moving Forward
Rev. Fr. Stépanos Dingilian, Ph.D. © 2004
Life has become so confusing and relationships so fluid and often undependable, that when we are faced with a relationship where we sense enmity, we are faced with this question: Do we isolate ourselves and stagnate, or do we reach out and move forward? Our Lord encourages us to reach out and pray for our enemies as we move forward in our quest to fulfill God’s calling for us. Based on the article below, here are some steps that can help us move forward.
A. Pray that we are pure in our objective to serve God, and that our service to Him is not for selfish reasons or out of spite.
B. Assure that we do not create unnecessary enemies, and if we do, try to clarify our intentions and objectives in order to eliminate or at least reduce them. We will always have enemies … the key is to eliminate unnecessary ones.
C. Assure that on the one hand we remain focused, determined, and steadfast in our service to God, yet on the other hand, neither succumb to the pressures of our enemies nor taunt them unnecessarily towards greater enmity.
D. Finally, pray that God’s will be done in the life of our enemies and especially in their relationship with us. Pray that always God is glorified in our relationship with our enemies knowing that if God is glorified, then as God’s children we too will be appreciated and respected.
(The full article is available in 2004 Issue of "Hope for the Family" Periodical)
* * * * *