"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Day 8 (Dec. 8th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus prayed for others and so can you"

Two thoughts on praying for others:

Christ said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you; and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44; see also 3 Nephi 12:44). Praying for those who "despitefully" use me, this means I will pray for those who hate me or want to harm me. Perhaps when I am offended, or easily hurt, this might be a good place for me to begin practicing this very thing.

Christ, of course, set the perfect example while on the cross. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots" (Luke 23:34). Jesus Christ prayed for the soldiers who put Him on the cross, crucified Him, and then gambled about who would get His garments. When Christ prays for them, He asks that they be forgiven, because they don't know what they are doing. Perhaps this is the same when others offend me or hurt me. They don't really know that I am hurt or offended. As I have tried to see the person and their heart, I usually find that they have no desire to harm or hurt me. I have found it so much easier to forgive others when I step back and look at the intent of the person's heart. I must say, God always helps me forgive them when I ask that they be forgiven.

The Crucifixion of Christ, artist unknown
In this particular painting you can see the soldiers wagering for the garments of Christ

The Crucifixion, by Harry Anderson
In this particular painting you see a Soldier in the front, seeming to ponder, or perhaps tired from the work of  crucifying others.

"...Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44)

Practicing is important...and this is what I learned about practicing from a sandwich.

I was riding my trike up a hill close to the local high school when I got smacked on the arm with something wet, soggy, and it hurt. Stuff splattered all over my bike and me. I was shocked to find that the kids in the black Jeep had just thrown a sandwich out their window at me. They were laughing as they accelerated away from me. I sat up in my seat and yelled, "Thanks a lot! Nice, really nice!" If I could have, I would have caught up to them...but going uphill on a trike, pretty much impossible.

As I continued on my ride, with the stench of  what smelled like some sort of salad dressing on my arm, I was trying so hard not to be angry, I mean really angry. I don't like being mad on my rides. It's my way of relaxing and enjoying life. I usually get a lot of friendly waves and thumbs up when I ride- never food thrown at me. So, I kept thinking about how I should handle this. Honestly, I wanted to knock some sense into these kids, but I had no idea who they were or where to find them. So, I just had to keep thinking about what is the better way to handle this. I didn't want to ruin my ride by thinking negative thoughts.

I did think, "Forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), but I believe they knew exactly what they were doing. So, that one did not defuse my frustration or anger about it. I was still just so shocked that someone would be so mean. Then the thought came to me, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Well, I could do that, pray for them...

But as I continue to ponder this incident, I realize that there are some mean people in the world. I don't have to judge them or even knock some sense into them. It is "required to forgive all men. And [I] ought to say in [my] heart-let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds" (D&C 64:10-11). Easier said than done.

As the days have gone by, and my anger has defused, and I have had more time to ponder this incident I realized that, ultimately, I don't want to behave as they did. If I had caught them and clobbered them or even been rude to them, I would have behaved as they did. Rude and mean.  I don't want to be mean-whether on accident or on purpose. So, what I realized from being splattered with sandwich and smelling so lovely (sarcasm) of salad dressing, was that I really want to be able to truly be kind in all circumstances. It is so easily said, and not so easily applied. But, I do believe it is possible to "love your enemies" and "bless them that curse you" and "do good them them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). It just takes a lot of practice. It really is good to be a practicing Christian, because if I weren't then that sandwich would have been a real waste.

"Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34)

I was riding my trike inside some work cones up a hill and approaching a green light. I knew there was traffic to my left. I was cruising along pretty well and entered the intersection when a small, blue, beater car turned right in front of me, just missing me. I sat up straight in my seat and raised my right arm and shook my fist at the driver as he sped away. My arm hurt so badly-I had just reacted and forgetting that I can't raise my arm that high yet without pain. (I was reminded pretty quickly...) I was pretty ticked-off as I headed down the other side of the hill. Then, I thought, "Hey, Jennifer, you didn't flip them off! And you didn't cuss at them!" I felt so much better. And then another thought entered my mind, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). That thought has changed my perspective about a lot of things.

This one little thought has made a difference in my reaction lately, and hopefully it will be a long term effect. Now, when someone cuts me off while riding or even driving, I think, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". When someone says something that is rude, or offensive, I think, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". When my children don't do what I expect or are disrespectful, I think, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". As I have done this I have noticed that I am able to respond in a more calm and kind manner rather than reacting with anger, frustration, or even rudeness back.

Pondering the words from President James E. Faust (1920-2007) has made me wonder if keeping this statement in my heart will have long term effects. He says: "We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings (which I definitely had when the little, blue, beater car nearly hit me). It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us "to forgive all men" for our own good because "hatred retards spiritual growth" (The Healing Power of the Atonement). To forgive others "is a divine attribute" (Forgiveness).

Keep moving forward, keep forgiving. I can tell you my ride was so much better after I had that thought, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". And my days have been better since I have continued to ponder it. Life is good. And forgiving makes it even better. This I testify.