Written by Nikolai Velmirovi (1881-1956), a bishop in the Serbian Orthodox church. He was arrested for speaking against the Nazi’s in WWII, taken to a concentration camp, and nearly died. While being tortured, he prayed, “Bless my Enemies Oh Lord.”
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them. Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have. 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 hidden myself beneath your 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 scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself. Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them. 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 your garment. Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them So that my fleeing to You may have no return; So that all my hope in people 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. Amen.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you [Matthew 5:44]
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