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I was sitting on the balcony of our condo in Southern California—eyes closed, hands open—enrapt in my morning meditation. I could smell the salt ocean, only a mile away, and I could feel a steady sea breeze—balmy and steady like the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Just as I thought my meditation was over, I internally heard God’s voice saying,
“Forgive your enemies.”
My immediate response was, “Lord, I don’t have any enemies.”
“Don’t you?” came the reply.
So I began to scan my life only to discover that, yes, I did have some enemies, and the injuries I felt were buried in such a shallow grave that they were easily disinterred.
The next message was clear: “Pray for them.”
My answer might surprise you: “No, I won’t do it.” The memories were so painful that I didn’t think I could bear such an exercise.
Saying no to God left me with two options: I could cease my practice of meditation, so I could avoid accidentally running into God again; or I could gradually begin the slow, and yes painful, journey of praying for my enemies. I chose the latter, reluctant but determined.
Initially, the prayers were mechanical, said with no conviction. After many days of repetition, I sensed that some sincerity was seeping into my prayers very gradually. After months, I found that I was wholeheartedly praying for my enemies to be blessed.
The phone call shouldn’t have surprised me. It was from one of the people I’d been praying for.
The voice began, “My wife and I are in Huntington Beach, and we wonder if you could pop around to our hotel for a visit.”
I did. The time was a casual catch-up about children and friends in common. I wish I could tell you that a new relationship began. It didn’t. But the sting I’d felt earlier was gone.
I realized that my grievances had been like a sack of lead on my shoulders, and my back was worn out. Without my being conscious of them, these grievances had been affecting my life for years. What liberation to lay down those burdens. . .
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” --Matthew 5:43-45
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