Call to Prayer: For Your Enemies

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Matthew 5:44

Borough Market, where one of the attacks in London took place

A little over a week ago, a terrorist attack occurred in London. I know it's not the only attack to happen recently or the worst. But it hit close to home for me, because well, London was home for 12 weeks and because I still have friends there.

I've heard or read several comments since then, coming from US citizens, about keeping Muslims out of the country. They say if Europe didn't let so many in, there wouldn't be attacks happening there so often. They say if we start letting refugees in, we'll have the same problems. Since 9/11, Muslims have been labeled the enemy in my country and by many of our allies.

I emphasized the word "labeled" above, because I don't believe any person of any faith, or any other category for that matter, is my enemy. (Unless we're talking sports. Then a Cubs fan or Jayhawks fan will always be my enemy, but only regarding sports.) And if you're a Christian - and I assume many of you reading this are - you should agree with me.

The Bible says that we do not battle against flesh and blood. We are fighting the SPIRITUAL forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Do you know why Jesus said to pray for your enemies? I'm sure there is more to it than I understand, but a big part of it is because you can't pray without loving. No matter how much you dislike someone, when you start to pray for them, you start to love them. You start to see them the way God does. You start to understand that they need Him too.

The people flying planes into buildings, the people driving vehicles into crowds, the people killing themselves just so they can kill others for believing differently. They all have the same enemy I do. They are fighting someone who wants to destroy their soul and steal their eternity with God.

And they are losing because they believe a lie. A lie that they've been taught their whole lives. A lie that has just enough of the truth to make it seem real. A lie that they're willing to give their lives for;

when they do that, that's when they no longer have a chance to believe the truth. That's when the real enemy wins.

St. Paul's Cathedral is called "the people's church." During World War II,
it was considered a symbol of hope. It is still used for regular church services.

Christians, the enemy has already lost the battle for us. We know the Savior. We've received Him. We get to spend eternity with Him. Even if the enemy manages to kill us, he's still lost. And if we can show the truth of God's love to one of our "enemies," he loses again.

So yes, pray for Manchester. Pray for London. Pray for every person affected by acts of terrorism. They need God. They need His peace. They need His joy. They need His hope. They need His Love. But don't forget to also pray for those who persecute you. Because they need God too. They need His Love. They need His truth. They need Him.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." - Ephesians 6:12