My Next Fool’s Errand: Justifying continued prayer for other believers who have told me I must “forget” them because of an offense

Preliminary outline of two series dealing with mutual imprisonment by unforgiveness, God's goal of reconciliation, and praying for those who don't want my prayers using constructive, New Testament prayers.

This post gives preliminary outlines of what will become two long series of short, bite-sized posts on prayers for offended believers who have told me I must “forget” them, because to them I no longer exist. The first series will deal with the effects of unforgiveness, and reconciliation as God’s goal in dealing with offenses between us. It is a goal I, as the offender, must pursue as in prayer at the very least, even if no other means are accessible to me or acceptable under the circumstances. I must not simply give up and try to “forget” (something which it is both physiologically and logically impossible to do intentionally). The consequences of letting bitterness go on unchallenged are too great.

The second series then covers a series of model prayers from the New Testament which may be constructively prayed even for the benefit of people who don’t want my prayers.

First Series:  Moron Mutual Imprisonment by Unforgiveness and the Goal of Reconciliation

Note to the uninitiated:  “Moron”=”More on.”  An old fool’s punny way of saying that there is more to say on the subject.   It’s not name calling because an old fool like myself is far more idiotic than, far worse in every way than, any mere moron!  Otherwise I wouldn’t be in the position of having to present an apology for—that is, a careful explanation justifying—my decision to continue praying for some believers I’ve offended who have shunned me and asked me to forget them.  But as I will explain, I can’t, and I mustn’t.

#1.  Binding and loosing in Matthew 18:18 and church discipline procedure in verses 15-17, both part of same context.

#2.  The power of agreement in prayer, Matthew 18:19-20, discipline, forgiveness–and unanimity [and I remain bound if no unanimity?]

#3.  Matthew 18:21-27:  Infinite forgiveness shown by God, at least. Are we supposed to do the same?

#4.  Another Visit with the Unforgiving Servant on the Rack, Matthew 18:32-35—What did he Still Owe? The original, forgiven debt, or just forgiveness for his fellow servant?

#5.   Another Visit with Jesus’ Second Debtor in Prison, Matthew 18:28-35

#6.   We are the salt of the earth, Matthew 5:13. [Preface to Matthew 5:21-26] 

#7.    We are the light of the world, Matthew 5:17-19. [Preface to Matthew 5:21-26]

#8.  Our Message of Reconciliation, Not Counting  Sins Against People.  2 Corinthians 5:18-21. [Preface to Matthew 5:21-26]

# 9.  Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, Matthew 5:20—but how? [Preface to Matthew 5:21-26]

#10.  Anger and contempt nurtured against a brother or sister condemned along with murder, Matthew 5:21-22.

#11.  Offenses are deadly serious, with a duty to actually obtain reconciliation!  Matthew 5:23-24.

#12.  Failure to reconcile an offense before the matter comes to judgment—debtor’s prison awaits!  Matthew 5:25-26.

#13.  Failure to forgive is a stumbling block to self and others.  Luke 17:1-4.

#14.  The son of man has power on earth to forgive sins.  Matthew 9:2-7.

#15.  Another reference to the power to forgive or retain sins:  John 20:19-23.

#16. Acting as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. No mercy is shown to those who show no mercy, Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:8-13.

#17.  Confession of sin leads to forgiveness AND cleansing. 1 John 1:9. What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy. Acts 10:15!

#18.  Jesus washing disciples’ feet: John 13:5-11. [All clean, but feet need to be washed. Sin forgiven by God, but dirt of living, including offenses against and retained by each other, needs removed periodically]

#19.  Foot washing was an example of what we should do for each other.  John 13:12-17

#20. Alarming facts:  Jesus washed Judas’ feet—and called him “friend” when he came to betray him!

#21. When two friends of Jesus are enemies of each other is Christ divided? Compare 1 Corinthians 1:13. Or is Jesus forced to take sides, and become the enemy of one of his former friends?

#22.  Debtor’s prison and reciprocity of forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer:  Matthew 6:12-15.

#23.  Debtor’s prison: lack of fruit and ineffective prayers?  Mark 11:12-14, 20-26.

#24.  Debtor’s Prison: Contempt for Each Other as a Stumbling Block.  Romans 4:9-13.

#25. What is contempt? Is deciding to treat another person as nonexistent a form of contempt?

#26.  How can God dwell in the one who hates their brother or sister? 1 John 2:9-11.

#27.  The one who hates is a murderer, contrasted to Jesus’ love.  1 John 4:14-16.

#28.  Is there a difference between contempt and hate?

#29.  The one who does not love a fellow believer does not love God.  1 John 4:20-21.

#30. Debtor’s prison, social effects:  Hardened hearts: help and encouragement that should be given will be denied.

 #31.  Debtor’s prison, social effects: others see our attitudes, and close doors to those we obviously distrust and treat with contempt, or to us, or both.

#32.  Debtor’s prison, social effects:    Hebrews 12:15. Bitterness, contempt are contagious!

#33.  Debtor’s prison, social effects:  The game of “telephone,” a/k/a gossip.  [offenses grow with retelling]

#34.  Debtor’s Prison: Effect on the Church: Division as people “take sides.” 

#35.  Debtor’s Prison:  Effect on the Church:  Hearts closed to our message because we are seen as “hypocrites.” 

#36.  Who or what are the “torturers” in Matthew 18:34?

#37.  Well, there went our salt and light in the world!

#38. How does it change any of the above that the offended person can be called a “victim?” Is this a scriptural category? Does it change God’s expectations?

#39. Of course, none of these scriptures can be allowed to benefit me! I have always been an inconvenience, since I was young, and recently I’ve come to annoy and scare people–s complete list of the three worst possible sins! Surely beyond the reach of mercy and completely deserving of invisibility and nonexistence. And ALL of the consequences listed above are fully and only MY fault. The above scriptures can surely only be applied against me, not in my favor in any way!

Second Series: New Testament Prayers for those who don’t want my prayers

#1. Preface: 1 Timothy 2:1-2, pray for all people, for everyone who is important in my world.

#2.  Preface:  Ephesians 6:18, pray for all believers.

#3.  Preface:  1 John 5:16-17, pray for any believer I see committing a sin except the “sin that leads to death.”

#4.   Preface: Matthew 5:43-48, pray for my enemies.

#5, Preface:  John 17:20-26. Should I deliberately omit anyone Jesus prayed for?

#6. Preface:  Jeremiah 14:10-12, only God can tell me not to pray for someone.

#7.  Preface: 1 Samuel 12:23, not praying for someone may be a sin—in context, this is true even when the people to be prayed for have abandoned God and committed great sins. It’s so much more true when they have committed no great sins but instead have determined me to have committed so great a sin that I am worthy of exile to the great void–the fate worse than death, because at least the beloved dead are remembered!

#8.   Matthew 6:9-13 (Part1).

#9.  Matthew 6:9-13 (Part 2)

#10.  1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (part 1)

#11.   1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (part 2)

 #12.  1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (part 3)

#13.   Ephesians 1:2-4, 15-19 (Part 1)

#14.  Ephesians 1:2-4, 15-19 (Part 2)

#15.  Ephesians 1:4-8 what God did for us, explaining the prayer.

#16.  Ephesians 1:8-10 what God has shown us, explaining the prayer.

#17.  Ephesians 1:10-14, God’s eternal purpose and our salvation, explaining the prayer.

#18. Ephesians 1:19-23, the outcome and guarantee of the prayer.

 #19.  Ephesians 3:14-21, another prayer (Part 1)

 #20.  Ephesians 3:14-21, another prayer (Part 2)

#21.  Ephesians 3:8-13: the prayer in verses 14-21, God’s purpose, and our confidence.

#22.  The desired outcome of the prayer:  Ephesians 4:1-6.

 #23. Philippians 1:3-5, 9-11 (Part 1)

#24.  Philippians 1:3-5, 9-11 (Part 2)

#25. Philippians 1:6. Paul’s confidence.

#26.  Philippians 1:7-8. Paul justifies his passionate longing for the Philippians in prayer.

#27.  Colossians 1:2-4, 9-12 (Part 1).

 #28.  Colossians 1:2-4, 9-12 (Part 2).

#29.   Colossians 1:4-8: what prompted Paul’s prayer

#30.  Why God will answer:  Colossians 1:13-14. 

I have now posted my 69 Theses on the door of the Internet, secure in the knowledge that no one will ever pay any attention. I am, after all, just an old fool!

But I believe I have completely justified continuing in prayer for people who have dismissed me.