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| Prayer and Evil |
| 09.18.06 (10:42 am) [edit] |
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A friend asked me today whether it is all right to pray for the judgment of God to fall on people who do evil. I think he had in mind people who promote, plan, and execute terrorist activity.
The idea of praying for God's judgment on others, no matter who they are, is fraught with hazard. To begin with, when one wishes harm on another, one has descended to the realms of evil himself. To pray "against" someone else may be simply another form of retaliation, and retaliation only escalates the conflict.
The Christian Bible is peppered with statements like that of Paul in Romans 12:17, "Repay no one evil for evil," or that of Jesus in Matthew 5:44, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Besides, it seems to me that we must remember that evil is not only "out there" in other people but that it is also "in here," in me. Until I face evil in myself, I may always be inclined to project it on to others and try to eradicate it by (gulp!) eradicating them. When that happens, it would seem to me that I am myself possessed of evil.
Here's another thought: I wonder how I have colluded in evil that oppresses others to the point that they feel compelled to destroy me. I may think of them as evil because their chosen form of violence seems more -- well, more "violent" -- but what kind of unthinking violence do I perpetrate on others by, say, my consumption of natural resources, my arrogant political views, my prejudice, my self-absorbed lifestyle, and so forth?
Maybe my prayers should be prayers of repentance for the evil that I inflict on others unawares.
When Gandhi and MLK set out to combat evil in their respective contexts, they realized that their methods would have to reflect a higher standard than the methods of those who opposed them. Their use of nonviolent, direct action was compelling and effective. Had they taken up arms -- or prayed for the destruction of their "enemies" -- might their cause have failed because it was infected by the evil it sought to remove?
Once I invite hate to take root in my heart, it seems reasonable that it will only grow. Love may seem ineffective in the face of evil, but, be that as it may, love will not foster evil.
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