How to pray for those we do not like

Elder Paisios in his deep wisdom shows us how to pray for those who we may think are even destroying the Church.

During the times of Patriarch Athenagora, some people went to the Elder and told him:

- Father, the actions of the Patriarch have made us very angry and we pray that he dies, so we may have our peace of mind.

The Elder replied:

- This is not right  I also pray for him; I ask God to take days off my own life and give the to our patriarch, so that he may have plenty of time to repent.

Our prayers should always basking for the spiritual benefit for ourselves and others.


Source: Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain, p 115