Father! Don't forgive them. They knew what they were doing!
Recently I have been thinking that some of my brothers and sisters in my church have intentionally chosen to use the antithesis of Christ's prayer which he said while being beaten and nailed during the Crucifixion-- "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." and His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane- "Not my will but Thy will be done..." Perhaps as we live from the influence of our false selves, we want to say: "Not Thy will, but my will be done." I have mentioned this to my Friday morning breakfast group. They laughed, but I don't really think it is that funny. There has been talk of reconciliation . Some of the folks who like to act as if they are "hurt" in a piosity that is very interesting-- have taken action that seems more like that of retribution. The angry, "I want it my way" demands of this little movement seems way out of character for folks who speak earnestly of reconciliation. It is more li