I Say to You, Love Your Enemies

About this article

This prayer by teen David Grillo is based on Matthew 5:44-45 and asks for help with letting go and offering forgiveness.
I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:44-45)

The pressures of another day take a toll
On a tired mind in a tired world.
Heads hang heavy,
Fists clench,
Thoughts pound.
When the boot kicks your teeth in
And it all seems like a waste,
You turn the page
And feel the words
Trembling in your soul.
"Let it go," he tells you.
"Forgive, and remember that I am here.
The sun will rise another day
On you and all your enemies."
Lift your head,
And find a promise of peace
In the heart of the Savior,
Who died on a cross for the sins
Of you
And your enemies.

Acknowledgments

This prayer is adapted from You Give Me the Sun: Biblical Prayers by Teenagers, edited by Carl Koch. Copyright © 2000 by Saint Mary's Press. Permission is granted for this prayer to be used for classroom or campus ministry purposes. This prayer may not be republished in any form without written permission from Saint Mary's Press. To order this book, contact Saint Mary's Press at 800-533-8095, or visit our online catalog at www.smp.org/catalog.cfm.