A Prayer for My Enemies

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.' But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.

Matthew 5:43-44 (NCV)

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God, I come to you in a time of incredible blessings and incredible chaos.

I lift up those who wish me and others harm.

I pray that my heart be softened so that I can see my enemies as the people they are and not the projections we create.

May they never hunger or thirst.

May they find love and be loved in return.

May they never be desperate.

In your wisdom, even malice springs from a desire to become better and make the world a better place. I pray that such intentions are fully understood and that hearts and minds are opened through exploration.

May they be allowed to fully search their feelings.

May they be able to discuss their convictions truthfully and wholeheartedly.

May they understand where their hatred comes from.

In your wisdom, you have made evil its own punishment. I pray my enemies be spared from committing acts they will regret.

May their efforts to hurt others be fruitless.

May they turn from the path of violence.

May they be forgiven by their victims.

In the name of the one who manifested your wish to forgive the world,

Amen

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Happy (late) Easter!