“Lord, Bless My Enemies”

“Lord, Bless My Enemies”
***A Prayer of St. Nikolai Velimirovich of Ochrid & Zhicha
“Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into Thy embrace more than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world.
Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced (settled securely) myself beneath Thy tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.
They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.
They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.
They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.
They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty, they have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.
Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life, they have demolished it and driven me out.
Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of Thy garment.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
so that my fleeing to Thee may have no return;
so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
so that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins: arrogance and anger;
so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;
ah, so that I may for once be freed from self deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.
Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.
One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.
It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.
Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and my enemies.
A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand.
But a son blesses them, for he understands. For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life. Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them. Amen.”
(St. Nikolai Velimirovich)

[@pe3429]

God be Praised, this is an extremely Powerful Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us. Open our Eyes and Heart's that we may absorb these Precious Words. Give us courage to face ourselves in your mercy, oh Lord Jesus Christ.

[@user-oh7iu8pg2u]

Thanks be to God Almighty through Jesus Christ ❤

[@saoirsehaslonglegs2313]

Lord Jesus,in Your mercy, comfort all those suffering in the world, especially Palestine,.especially all the children. Amen.please Lord, with Your grace & mercy help me to reconcile with You, to be open & honest, today ,when go to Confession ,I ask for your forgiveness, & help me to forgive others & to do Your will, with a heart of love, peace, kindness & hope ,i need You Lord,.Thank You ,Father ,Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.

[@pe3429]

Lord Jesus Christ in all your Mercy, Bless those who call to you. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on us, for we are sinners ☦

[@stephaniebailey864]

The words of Saint Nicholi Velimirovich are so profound and true. He was described as the new John Christosom because his sermons were so inspired. Thank you for this lovely prayer, I hadn't heard of it before .❤

[@stephaniebailey864]

Thank you Holy Orthodoxy, St Nicholi Velimirovich is one of my favourite Saints, i love "The Prologue of Ochrid ". I haven't come across this prayer before, and it is very profound . Thank you again. ❤

[@HolyOrthodoxy]

@@stephaniebailey864 Yes he has been described as a modern day St. John Chrysostom for his understanding and explanation of theology and obviously for his heartfelt prayers. Glory be to God for His wondrous Saints! 🙏☦️

[@craigculwell9177]

Saint Nikolai, pray for us! 🌹🕊️☦️🇷🇸

[@humanipulationnation]

brothers should not be enemies ☦️ ❤

[@HolyOrthodoxy]

@humanipulationnation; They should not be, however, as with Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-18) if there is jealousy, hatred etc. then one or both may be enemies and go as far as to kill his own brother.

[@joepavone3586]

Another great video-both this prayer and the "Prologue from Ohrid" are available on the internet as pdf files for free.

[@jeffreydezwit9875]

Can somebody pray for me ?i have hatefull thoughts about a person. i dont like it please pray for me my name is geoffrey

[@HolyOrthodoxy]

@jeffreydezwit; May the Lord have mercy on you and help you. 🙏☦️