CNN Advocates Praying for Your Enemy...Sort of

I just watched a report on CNN about how to reduce your stress. The report was made in response to the stress that the financial downturn is causing. They're suggestion? "Compassion Meditation." What is that, you ask? Well, it is thinking of something or someone you don't like and then thinking good thoughts and wishing good things for them.

What does that sound like? Sure sounds a lot like "but I say, pray for your enemies..." Of course their report had information about breathing techniques to quiet yourself (is this a Holy Spirit thing?) and visualization techniques - non threatening images (like Jesus?). I actually thought they would talk to someone who would make this connection, but instead it was the Dalai Lama.

Me vs. He

John 12. Jesus' triumphal entry.

"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name."

In the midst of conditions that have troubled his soul, Jesus has a choice. He can pray for himself, to have his soul not troubled; or he can pray in accordance to God's will. Jesus chooses the latter, "Father, glorify your name." It appears as if the Father cannot contain himself at that point; he's so pleased that he speaks right up.

I've had some things troubling me lately and I'm learning how to say, "Glorify your name, Father." The hard part about that is wanting the same thing God wants, but also trusting that he is even involved. He is; "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."

The Person of Prayer

Luke 11

When asked by his disciples to teach them to pray, Jesus gives them what we refer to as the Lord's Prayer. However, he continues with a statement about asking and receiving, knocking and the door being opened. I guess I never noticed that the end of this section has something specific that the asker will receive; "...how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask."

In a section on prayer, Jesus says, "Ask for the Holy Spirit." This has been my experience. One year I determined as a New Year's resolution that I would be more of a person of prayer. Over the next year or two, I encountered the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. It's as if God took my resolution as a prayer and said, "Okay, if you want to be more of a person of prayer, let me introduce you to THE Person of Prayer."

The Result of Prayer

The result of prayer is life.
Prayer irrigates the
earth and
heart.

- St. Francis of Assisi