Praying for Others, Healing Yourself

These days everyone seems to be angry. Every slight against us is held as a grudge. Tempers are on short fuses and violence is often the result. If you want to take yourself out of this spiral of resentment, grudge, and anger ... often impotent anger ... there is one thing you can do that is known to work.

Pray for the person who has provoked you. [If someone is intent on harming you, take proactive measures to keep that individual from doing so first.] Prayer is a powerful tool, for the provocateur ... and, counter-intuitive though it may seem, for you. Pray regularly for this individual (or group). In time [patience is required], this prayer for others will slowly, slowly heal you. Your anger will bleed away as you pray for the improvement of the other person. In time you will find yourself at peace and free to move on with your life in a way the grudge holder never will. Carrying all that anger around hurts you, badly. Pray for that aggravating individual in your life, pray for his or her healing, for his or her coming in right relationship with you and the world. Free yourself. God loves you and that is the life, the free life, God intends for you. It is the life God intends for us all.

Good luck. Start praying now.