Pray for those who persecute you.

This post originally appeared on Instagram on August 3, 2020.

On Friday I had to use the block button for the first time. Someone hostile to both Catholicism and medical freedom had seen the last post and shared it, claiming the post contained false information. (It did not. I did quite a bit of homework before posting it.)

I saw that she shared my post and tagged me in her stories and attempted to engage with her. It didn’t go well. She shared my words in her own stories, mocking me and mischaracterizing what I had said.

I don’t have time for that nonsense, so I blocked her.

HOWEVER, it brought to mind that I am not nearly as good about praying for my persecutors as I should be. We are not only encouraged to do as such, but as you can see in the passage from Matthew below, we are commanded to do so by Our Lord.

Let’s not forget in the midst of all of the current turmoil and injustice that what the Lord ultimately seeks is for conversion of hearts toward Him. If those of us who are professed Christians neglect to pray for our persecutors, we’re abdicating an important duty. Side note: can you *imagine* the glory these conversions would bring to God? 💥

Suggestion: take a moment today to write down the name of your persecutors wherever you keep your prayer intentions. I’m including various government leaders, tech giants, and medical professionals.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48