Day 97: Pray For Those Who Persecute You
Matthew 5:43-48
There is always something we want to change. Many dream of changing the world, but might not know the first step. If one wants to do something, but fears opposition of people who stand in their way, they should pray for their hearts to be softened, so that change can occur. For example, if someone is working on a project and has been assigned to work with a coworker, one with whom you have had several disagreements, they should pray for their coworker, so that maybe they can see eye to eye or work with more ease than tension. Situations only change if people do. If one is not willing to pray for those who oppose them, in whatever sense of the word, then nothing will change.
This is a very easy thing to do. It does not directly involve the other person. Sometimes people try to be nice or extra nice to the people they do not get along with, but that can widen the gap and increase opposition. However, prayer is something between you and God. Counter example, if someone has been trying a little extra to be nice to you, but you do not want to work on the relationship, whatever the relationship or state in which the relationship may be, then your heart is hardened and you may not receive God’s graces. It would be like pouring water over a rock instead of a sponge. Relationships are a two person investment, it cannot work if one person is not willing to uphold their part of the relationship.
“For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?”
Matthew 5:46-47
Praying and loving your friends and family is easy. It is truly a charitable act to pray for someone who one does not necessarily like. It is a way of saying, I don’t necessarily like you, but I want you to be happy and go to Heaven. This is true love; to will the good of the other. Jesus prayed for His persecutors on the Cross crying out, “Forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” Let us meditate on this prayer from the lips of Christ and let it pierce our hearts like the spear pierced His and the sword pierced Our Lady’s.
Prayer: Mary, Our Mother, let the Holy Spirit pierce our heart. Let them be hearts of flesh and not of stone, so that we may be receptive of the gifts God bestows on us