Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Read Matthew 5:44-48. As the United States of America continues to celebrate 250 years as a nation, we look at God’s vision for all nations. God’s vision for us and for all nations is that we would be at peace with one another. We are currently in a very shaky peace agreement with Iran. One day we are dropping bombs, the next day we are working toward a peaceful outcome. While international war and peace play out, Jesus challenges us on a very personal level to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. So who are our enemies? I have seen our natural tendency toward mistrust and the resulting actions. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many of us became fearful of anyone who looked like they were from the Middle East. With today’s rhetoric about illegal aliens being rapists and murderers, skepticism is created toward anyone who speaks Spanish in public. We create enemies where we don’t need to. Yes, murderers and rapists need to be held accountable, and victims of these crimes need to have justice. But when we classify a whole group of people as evil, the result is that we begin to create policies that persecute innocent people. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” To create peace in our community, we must guard ourselves from unhealthy stereotypes. Peace starts with us.

Ben Franklin, one of America’s founders, was the target of a negative speech given by an opponent. Ben was angry at first, but he took the strategy of reaching out to the person and recommended a rare book. Ben wrote that he ‘manifested a readiness to serve him on all occasions.’ This is now known as the “Ben Franklin effect,” which occurs when performing a favor for someone to transform negative feelings into increased positive feelings. Prayer is an act of kindness when we pray for someone’s well-being and success. 

Dear Jesus, we pray for the well-being and success of all people. Help us to be at peace with all people. Today, Lord, we especially pray this for those for whom we have negative thoughts and feelings. Amen.