Prayers and Thanksgiving… for Everyone

When we were in Scotland last summer, there was a huge celebration for the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. There were parades and other celebrations in big cities – even special pastries in the stores! But I think we were a little taken aback by how in the church services we attended, there was considerable prayer specifically for the Queen… for her health, for her well-being, for her family, thanksgiving for her long reign… When we were at Saint Giles on that first Sunday, I was actually looking around to see if she were there. All this special attention!  

My sense was that she was pretty well loved and respected, and therefore not that hard to pray for.

For the early Christians, the kings and rulers in power were not exactly allies. Jesus, Jesus had just been executed as a common criminal by Rome. And these first fledgling churches were meeting sometimes secretly in people’s homes. I’m sure many of them had friends or loved ones who had been dragged to the center of town and stoned or worse, simply for what they believed.

The Apostle Paul once wrote to his young friend and colleague Timothy: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions…

Thanksgiving? Intercessions? For those who are persecuting us?

Maybe this is a prayer: Lord, we pray for these people in power that you might change their hearts… But maybe there is more to it. 

Paul adds this: that we might live quiet and peaceable lives… 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often struggled to pray for people I don’t like. Or, people that have wronged me, or worse, who have hurt someone vulnerable, or hurt someone I love…  

But could it be somehow, that my peace and well-being are tied to the peace and well-being of others? Could it be that hatred and bitterness in my heart are somehow detrimental to my own health and wellbeing, to my own salvation? Could it be, by lifting them up in prayer, it does something inside me as well?

Jesus once said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I have to believe this teaching has more to do with us and our own spiritual well-being than it does with them. 

Let us pray: Loving God, it is difficult to pray for those who we perceive as enemies or those who may have harmed us. But this you taught us to do. And so we lift them up to you now… Release in us any bitterness, hatred, anger, disgust… Free us from resentment or any other thoughts or emotions that may be binding us… Help us let go, to trust you, and to rest in your peace. Though Christ our Lord, Amen.