Posted on 02/21/2005 7:09:11 PM PST by Lesforlife
Loving our enemies?
By Leslie Hanks
One of the most difficult aspects of this walk we have as followers of Jesus, is the imprecation to love our enemies.
Who wants to do that?
A particularly vivid example in many of our lives at this juncture in history, is the wicked troika who seem to hold the fate of our friend Terri Schindler Schiavo in their hands.
One writer asks the question about Terri’s former spouse, “husband or monster?”
Monster, I say!! It gives me some measure of comfort to describe him that way, I’m sorry to admit. And frankly, I don’t want to change my opinion of him or the other creeps who have abused Terri for over a decade.
But what does the good book say about those we conclude are our enemies?
Before we explore that, let me admit I don’t want to love my enemies. I don’t even want to pray for them. But like many of you I must conclude that all of the amazing efforts to spare Terri’s life by the thousands of us who care about protecting innocent life, at this point seem to be falling short of getting the job done.
Do we need to examine who the real enemy is and acknowledge that Michael and his minions are as lost as we once were – but for the grace of God?
I don’t know what else to do at this point to make a difference that actually might save Terri, so that she can bask in the sunshine and breathe deep the fragrance of flowers, while her eyes take in the deep azure blue of the ocean’s deep.
I must admit that I’m willing at this late date to try another tact and pray that the Good Lord will save Michael, George Felos and “judge” Greer and bring them into His kingdom before they face the justice they will so richly deserve, should
they carry out their diabolical plan.
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21
“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 sons of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-44.
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27.
Amazingly, there are numerous others. Yet, I’m having trouble enough understanding these. They go so against my grain! All my prayers for the past 18 months for Terri, and now I must confront the fact that perhaps, I should have been praying for the salvation of the aforementioned hit squad.
Before we mentally send them packing to the vivid depictions of a Hieronymous Bosch painting, will we pledge to stand together as a body of believers and pray fervently that the Lord will remove the scales from their eyes, that they will repent and let Terri live?
But most of all may we all continue to pray that Saint Terri will have taught America not only the valuable lessons our nation needs to learn regarding the infinite value of all human life but also the depth of corruption of our judicial system which needs to be swept clean, from top to bottom.
And finally, may we collectively pray that the good men in our land, who have the power to do what is necessary to save an innocent life will dig deeply into their reservoir of courage and boldly step out to do the noble, right and just thing.
“Father God, we are absolutely helpless before you, we beseech your majesty and beg your forgiveness for not consistently praying that Terri’s tormentors be saved. Please work a mighty work in their hearts and minds that they will repent of their wicked ways. We pray that they will seek your merciful forgiveness for their abuse of our sister Terri, lo these many years. In the matchless name of Jesus, we pray, Amen”
Leslie Hanks is Vice President of Colorado Right to Life and traveled to be at Terri's vigil in October 2003 when her feeding tube was removed.
bump
We have more money so we use judges to do the job.
BTW, I'm not praying for these self-styled godlike beings. They can pray for themselves.
I just found this Novena for Michael Schiavo. I'm going to start praying it right now, in spite of the revulsion I feel towards the man.
Oh Lord of eternal compassion and mercy, by the words your Son has taught us, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Mt 6:43) grant we beseech Thee to hear the prayers we offer in this novena for the conversion of Michael Schiavo. As in all things, may it be done according to Your Holy Will. Glory be...
Let Us Pray....
O, God, Lord of Life,
We bring before You, the life and soul of Michael Schiavo,
Whom You have redeemed by Your Precious Blood.
Mindful of Your boundless mercy, O Lord,
We beg You to grant Michael
The grace to know You and desire You with his whole heart
So that in this desiring, he may seek and find You
And in finding you, he may loveYou
And in loving You, he may lose the desire to end the life of
Your precious daughter, Theresa Marie.
We plead with You, O Lord,
To surround Theresa with Your constant protection
So that she and Michael,
Together with all the hosts of Angels and Saints,
May glorify Your Infinite Mercy for endless ages. Amen
Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be..
Amen.
http://www.electionnovena.org/
If we love only are brother who are we
even the pagans love their brothers..
In my total depravity God loved me and gave his only son
to die in my place...
Praying that Terri's enemy's hearts be opened to God that they might confront the evil of their actions and the totally depraved condition of their own hearts is a not only a good idea...
It is required of us..
Thank you, deo! Praying for Michael is VERY important to do!
Terri ping! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!
Ping to post #5.
Praying that Terri's enemy's hearts be opened to God
We know that won't happen, but we are commanded to pray for the enemies of God. It is so hard to do when we know the prayers will fail in the short run.
We know that Michael R. Schiavo "lives" for the death of Terri - it is his end-all and be-all. The man gets a delight when the innocent suffer. But God must see something there that we do not.
God wants Michael to be a man after His own Heart. Jesus died for Michael, too. God would rather have Michael than not.
Heavenly Father, we return to thank You for Your direction to pray one for another ... those we love and those we don't, for Your teaching is that You are not willing that any should perish. Pierce the hearts of Michael and all those who have a hand in the planned murder of this mother's child ... may they have understanding of what it is they plan ... may they repent. May the fear of the Lord fall greatly upon them, for fear is the beginning of wisdom. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...
Yes, it is Biblical to pray for Terri's tormenters. Lord, we lift this difficult situation to you and pray that you open the eyes and cleanse the hearts of those who mistakenly believe they are doing the right thing by euthanizing your precious daughter, Terri Schindler Schiavo.
I join in prayer for all of these!
Goodnight prayer for Terri and Michael!
Bump!
What about Bishop Lynch? He could use a few prayers to get involved. His office is less than ten miles from the Hospice where Terri is being cared for.
Lord, Terri's enemies have been blinded by the one who would love to see us ALL destroyed. Open their eyes, even as you opened the eyes of Paul on the road to Damascus (was there ever a more hopeless case for Christ than Paul? Nothing is beyond you, Oh Lord!). Let the Judge see the injustice and cruelty in his decisions...soften the hearts of Michael and his attorney. Bless them with an awareness of YOU so that the innocent will not suffer. We pray for those despitefully using Terri...not for the success in this matter, but for their change of heart. In Jesus name...amen.
"BTW, I'm not praying for these self-styled godlike beings. They can pray for themselves."
I pray that Michael see the light and through a miracle, spare Terri's life. I pray that if he removes this tube, that he repents of this sin and accepts Jesus as his personal savior.
Lord, we pray that Terri awakens, and that Michael awakens to You!
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