A prayer for our enemies

A few days ago, I finished reading Rich Villodas’ excellent book, The Narrow Path. It’s an accessible yet powerful exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, centered on—yes, you guessed it—the narrow path of following Jesus.

For me, one of the most impactful chapters was Villodas’ reflection on Jesus’ challenging command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a long list of people I’d consider “enemies.” Villodas makes an important distinction between big “E” enemies—those who are clearly opposed to us—and little “e” enemies—those we simply find difficult to love. That second list? For me, it’s much longer.

He also reminds us that the command isn’t to pray for their destruction, or even that they recognize the error of their ways. Jesus calls us to genuinely pray for their blessing and wellbeing. Woah.

At TVC, we’re working to foster a culture where we don’t just tolerate those we disagree with, but actively embrace them as our brothers and sisters in Christ. Praying for people we struggle to love is a discipline that benefits both us and the wider community. It’s an antidote to the increasingly fractured culture we live in. And yet, it is profoundly difficult.

Villodas shares a prayer from a Benedictine monk who once visited his church. I’ve found it helpful this week, and I wanted to pass it along to you:

May you be happy. May you be free.
May you be loving. May you be loved.
May you know the fulfilment of what God has planned for you.
May you experience God’s deep, profound love for you.
May you receive and grow in the fullness of the graces Jesus has won for you.
May Jesus Christ be formed in you.
May you know His peace that passes all understanding.
May all good things be yours.
May Jesus’s joy be in you, and may that joy be complete.
May you know the Lord in all His goodness and compassion.
May you be protected from the evil one amid every temptation that comes your way.
May the Holy Spirit fill and permeate your entire being.
May you see His glory.
May you be forgiven of every sin.
I forgive you (or will try to forgive you of every wound and hurt with all my heart.
May God’s goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life.

Imagine if we all committed to praying this way for those we disagree with. What a way to transform culture!

I hope it’s a blessing to you this week.

Cover image by Deb Dowd via Unsplash.
Prayer by William Meninger, quoted in The Narrow Path by Rich Villodas.