Prayer for the IDF

[journeyman]

]The less fortunate are the less fortunate. Someone might not be your enemy, they might even be your friend, and need help.

I agree we should help our friends, but the Messiah went beyond that,

 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Mt.5:43-48

As I told you Fenris, when the Messiah walked on earth, he could easily have wiped out his enemies, but chose not to, instead enduring the sins of mankind against himself. Just as his Father does.

You know, the bible means what it says.  When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

I'm not fainthearted when I go to battle against my enemies, because the Lord my God goes with me.

Telling people that they are wrong for praying to God for help against people who are trying to kill them is not showing any concern for their well being.

I never said it was wrong to ask God for help against people who are trying to kill us. I encourage people to pray and ask God to make us more like his Son.

[Fenris]

I agree we should help our friends,

But you're not even willing to do that. When a fellow democratic state is facing people trying to annihilate them , and I say we should pray to God for help, you say that's wrong.

but the Messiah went beyond that,

 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

If you want to love your enemies and pray for them, that's fine. But when they're actively trying to harm you, I see nothing wrong with asking God for help also. But you think that's wrong for some reason.

As I told you Fenris, when the Messiah walked on earth, he could easily have wiped out his enemies, but chose not to, instead enduring the sins of mankind against himself. Just as his Father does.

This is fine on an individual level, but when someone is trying to harm people we're also obligated to do something about it. Leviticus 19:16 tells us  "You shall not stand by the shedding of your brother's blood." 

I'm not fainthearted when I go to battle against my enemies, because the Lord my God goes with me.

Neither is the IDF.

I never said it was wrong to ask God for help against people who are trying to kill us. I encourage people to pray and ask God to make us more like his Son.

You might start by asking God to make you care more about human suffering.

[journeyman]

Redundant.

[RabbiKnife]

Notwithstanding the fact that we should indeed pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and by extension, for those involved in the daily protecting of that peace....

My knowledge of and experience with people that have worked with the IDF is that we should pray for the people that the IDF has in their crosshairs...

 

[journeyman]

Notwithstanding the fact that we should indeed pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and by extension, for those involved in the daily protecting of that peace....

My knowledge of and experience with people that have worked with the IDF is that we should pray for the people that the IDF has in their crosshairs...

 

Jerusalem has peace and we should pray for our enemies.

[Fenris]

Jerusalem has peace and we should pray for our enemies.

What about friends? Do you pray for the Jews coming under attack by their (and our) enemies?

On 9/11, did you pray for Americans dying in the inferno of ground zero? Or did you pray for the Taliban and Al Qauda?

[journeyman]

What about friends? Do you pray for the Jews coming under attack by their (and our) enemies?

On 9/11, did you pray for Americans dying in the inferno of ground zero? Or did you pray for the Taliban and Al Qauda?

I've learned to pray for everyone, not just the people who love me, as the Messiah taught,

I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you Mt.5:44

I'm thankful God chose not to kill me when I was an enemy of him. He patiently waited for me to come to repentance,

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Mt.5:45

Do you know the Lord Fenris?

[Fenris]

I've learned to pray for everyone

OK. So again, who did you pray for on 9/11?

I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you Mt.5:44

Did you pray for the Jews when missiles were raining down on their country?

Do you know the Lord Fenris?

I most certainly do, and I speak to Him daily.

[journeyman]

OK. So again, who did you pray for on 9/11?

I've already told you Fenris, all sinners,

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? Lk.13:4

I most certainly do, and I speak to Him daily.

That's very strange, because you don't know the Messiah.

[Fenris]

I've already told you Fenris, all sinners,

Again with the obfuscation and misdirection. Can't you ever just answer a question?

]That's very strange, because you don't know the Messiah.

What does that have to do with talking to God?

[journeyman]

Again with the obfuscation and misdirection. Can't you ever just answer a question?

I told you 3x's, I pray for those who love me and those who don't. I pray for those who get hurt and for those who hurt others. If you can't understand that, it isn't because I'm being unclear.

What does that have to do with talking to God?

Nothing, as long as you don't expect an answer.

[Fenris]

I told you 3x's, I pray for those who love me and those who don't. I pray for those who get hurt and for those who hurt others.

So you pray for murderers and their victims. No difference to you. How moral.

Nothing, as long as you don't expect an answer.

Who says I haven't gotten an answer?

[journeyman]

So you pray for murderers and their victims. No difference to you. How moral.

Well, I never murdered a man to cover my adulterous fling with his wife either, but that doesn't make me more moral than King David,

Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people. Deu.9:6

Who says I haven't gotten an answer?

Well, you are here, so maybe.

[Fenris]

Well, I never murdered a man to cover my adulterous fling with his wife either, but that doesn't make me more moral than King David,

King David isn't really a great example, because after all he's king David, the guy who wrote Psalms and fought God's battles. But if you want to use him as an example, he at least admits guilt, unlike the people who have attacked Israel through the centuries.

Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people. Deu.9:6

And the preceding verse, "It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "


Nevertheless I can see a difference between Hamas and Israel. Sad that you don't.

[journeyman]

King David isn't really a great example, because after all he's king David, the guy who wrote Psalms and fought God's battles. But if you want to use him as an example, he at least admits guilt, unlike the people who have attacked Israel through the centuries.

I'm sure many have admitted their guilt. As for King David, his understanding is,

enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psa.143:2

And the preceding verse, "It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "

Nevertheless I can see a difference between Hamas and Israel. Sad that you don't.

Can you see the sameness?