During times of tragedy, it is often easier to talk about praying than to take time out to pray. But I hope that all of us truly will take the time to pray for those involved in the recent massacre at Fort Hood.
We should pray for the dead, pray for the wounded, pray for the victim’s families . . . and pray for Nidal Malik Hasan.
Although he swore an oath to protect his homeland against all enemies—foreign and domestic—Hasan became a traitor to his country and a murderous enemy to his fellow soldiers. His actions make him an enemy of the state and an enemy of his fellow citizens. He is our enemy now. As such the duty of those who call ourselves Christian is crystal clear: We must love and pray for Hasan.
As Christ’s commanded, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” We can be angry, we can grieve, and we can expect Hasan to pay for his crimes. But we must also love and pray for him, remembering that we were once enemies of a God who, though angered and grieved, paid for our crimes with the blood of his only begotten Son.
November 6th, 2009 | 9:11 am
A splendid post by Mr. Carter–and a haunting incident that makes me realize the importance of Mr. Carter’s earlier post today.
November 6th, 2009 | 9:27 am
I had similar thoughts yesterday. Hasan is truly in the grip of the devil and needs prayers. Also, I tried to remember Hasan’s family as one of the victims. When a family member commits a horrible crime he is lost to his family forever. The person we thought we knew and loved has vanished and his life is permanently separated from ours, either through jail or through the dissonance of what he’s become. A sad day for many.
November 6th, 2009 | 12:01 pm
Hard words, Joe, but I am grateful that you said them.
November 6th, 2009 | 2:15 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by First Things and David Hornor, David Hottinger. David Hottinger said: On praying for our enemies. RT @ROFTERS: Our Duty to Our Enemy http://bit.ly/2Uti2z [...]
November 6th, 2009 | 2:59 pm
Thank you, Mr. Carter. Your post is giving me the courage to write and preach my sermon from Psalm 124 for Sunday. I was hesitant to name an enemy, but can do so, and only do so rightly through Christ who gives me strength.
November 6th, 2009 | 8:59 pm
God bless you for this. It is so easy despite our Christian faith to yield to unrighteous anger but our Model has taught us better.
November 6th, 2009 | 9:18 pm
Very true with one caveat…
Pray for the dead?
Links
Blogs
Find Us
Contact