How do you pray for your enemies?

[Jilly_in_VA]

I know we're supposed to pray for our enemies and "those who persecute you". Jesus told us to do that. I cannot bring myself to pray for ICE bros. I just can't. They are too evil, doing evil things just for the sake of it, and worse yet, seemingly enjoying it. How can a person pray for people like that? Serious question.

[LiberalArkie]

1. "Oh Lord, please take Donald Trump home"

Where that home is supposed to be..........

[mwf]

2. What to do about enemies

I have felt the same way. But just yesterday I saw a clip that startled me. ICE was doing its usual roundup near the border and a priest walked in to support those who needed it. Once the ICE thugs saw the priest in his collar, they quickly backed off. !!! Just being present was enough.

[Jilly_in_VA]

4. I know

Bishop Michael Pham and the Jesuit Posse. It was wonderful. I'd love to see an Orthodox priest or bishop do the same!

[fierywoman]

3. The metaphysical people I follow suggest praying for the highest good for all.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. I do pray

for people of good will everywhere. It's just this stumbling block I have about ICE and Stephen Miller and people like that.

[fierywoman]

15. I love this story about a Native American concept of praying --

the story starts around 1:50 if you don't have the patience to sit through the intro (athough it's interesting) -- keep praying!

[Norrrm]

6. There is always the republican Christian prayer:::

There is always the republican Christian prayer:::

Lauren Boebert’s prayer for President Joe Biden: “May his days be few.”
Psalm 109
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20109&version=KJV

8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

Link to tweet

[Jilly_in_VA]

8. I think that's an old Irish prayer

Kinda tongue in cheek, although it might be a good one.
Look, y'all, this was a serious question to the Catholic/Orthodox forum. I'd sort of appreciate it if those not in there would excuse themselves from the discussion.

[surfered]

9. I apologize.

[surfered]

10. If we are supposed to love our enemies,

..then surely we would also pray for them; however, we could pray that they see the error of their ways and to welcome the stranger.

[Jilly_in_VA]

11. This is true

but I'm having a hard time even doing that. However, I am trying.

[surfered]

12. I don't think it was supposed to be easy for any of us mortals.

[B Hamster]

13. People can change

I am reminded of the musical "Fiddler on the Roof". It is set in the small town of Anatevka, Russia, in 1905 (Currently part of Ukraine). During the story, one of the Jewish townspeople asks the rabbi, "Is there an appropriate blessing for the Tsar?" The wise rabbi thinks for a moment and replies, "Of course: May God bless and keep the Tsar..............far away from us".

The point is that even when someone is causing you harm, you can pray for them. You can ask that they become enlightened. You can request that their hard hearts soften. You can ask for an awakening of compassion. You can pray for them to find another path.

We have to remember that Saul was a Pharisee and persecuted the church before his life-changing experience on the road to Damascus. It's where he literally "saw the light". People can change, and the faithful can help them change.

[surfered]

14. Truly.

[IbogaProject]

16. You pray for them to denounce their evil deeds publicly

That way they can become part of the struggle for justice. You don't pray for enemy's well being, but for them to renounce their evil ways publicly. The Buddha says holding onto anger is like holding a burning hot stone, you are the one who suffers from it. With compassion you can wish them to change their ways and to become compassionate themselves.