Article December 1, 1997 Issue

WORLD WATCH

What happened when I prayed for Bosnia

Alexis Deacon

I'm not sure exactly how it happened—whether first I started reading newspaper articles about the need for forgiveness in Bosnia and then I started praying, or if I had been praying about forgiveness and then started reading about Bosnia. Whichever, one day I found myself earnestly praying to support man's ability to forgive his fellowman, especially in Bosnia.

One newspaper article I'd read argued that it would be impossible for people to forgive if they had lost a family member in the Bosnian conflict. It went on to describe in detail the mourning for dead relatives and people's refusal to let go of their hatred for those who had committed war crimes.

As I prayed, I thought about what Jesus says in his Sermon on the Mount about loving our enemies. These are his exact words: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:44, 45).

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Letters
Dear Sentinel
December 1, 1997
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit