44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.
Reflection
This question has come up on more than one occasion from my Grandfather-in-law, who has been a United Methodist Pastor forever.
How do we love everyone, even our enemies?
Every time he has brought this up I’ve grumbled and rolled my eyes and I’ve said the right answer which is, Of course we love our neighbor even those different from us blah blah blah….
Only recently, like within the last year, has this idea truly sunk in, and I’ve been able to internalize and normalize “loving” my enemies. More specifically: praying for anyone who mistreats you (and by “you” I really mean any human, because OMG PLEASE JUST STAHP).
I am truly baffled by the people who so loudly announce their hate, rejecting the ideas that I live by – all humans deserve basic decency, respect, and you know… a right to live a comfortable life with people who they love and love them. I remain baffled and sometimes I still slip into anger at them, but mostly I’m really sad for them.
Within the last couple of years, more studies have come out about the phenomenon that is the (as I call them) Trumplican. I’m glad some people had the time and money to investigate why these people are the way they are, and are coming back with some answers.
What frequently happens is a combination of a few things, but the most frequent issue being they felt isolated, victimized, and disempowered. Then along comes someone who validated their feelings of anger, then pointed at something to get angry at. Logic has very little to do with someone who so avidly supports the current executive branch.
These days, I try to remember they’ve been suckered by misinformation campaigns, and at some point along the way, the system or our society made them question their worth. I wish I could give you names and quotes to look up the articles and books yourselves, but listening to some of these stories really broke my heart and opened a new door into living like Christ.
When I meet someone who still believes the enemy is the refugee, the homeless, or the nonconformist, (first I feel a little less safe around them, but also) I can’t help but pity them and pray that they find truth in kindness, facts in science, and logic in empathy.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
1. What does it look like in your daily life to “love your enemies” and “pray for those who mistreat you”?
- Think of a real-life example or situation where this command felt especially difficult. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently now?
2. How can empathy play a role in transforming our anger or fear into compassion for those we strongly disagree with?
- What are some ways to hold both truth and grace when encountering people who perpetuate harmful beliefs?
3. In what ways can understanding someone’s backstory (such as feelings of isolation or fear) help us reflect the character of God more fully?
- Does seeing others through the lens of brokenness and need change how you approach disagreement or confrontation?
Prayer: God of mercy and grace, Thank You for loving us even when we are difficult, divided, or lost. Teach us to love like You do—especially when it’s hard. Help us to see beyond anger and fear, to recognize the pain and brokenness in others, and to respond with compassion instead of contempt. Soften our hearts, sharpen our wisdom, and give us the strength to pray for those who mistreat us. May we be reflections of Your justice, kindness, and radical love in a world that desperately needs it. Amen.
