i have not been there recently. i don t know. i won t say conclusively one way or the other. i understand why people would think that he would be. you wrote in your op ed piece that you have been praying for osama bin laden for the past ten years. some people might say, how could you pray for such an evil man? had it been my choice alone, maybe that s not something that i would think about doing. that is a response to what jesus invites all those who would follow him to do. there is a piece in matthew s gospel where jesus says, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. so, as part of my spiritual practice, every time i pray, i think about those people who i consider to be enemies and i lift them up in prayer. so during these last ten years, he has been one of the people that i have regularly prayed for. so when you saw pictures of americans celebrating his death in the streets of washington and in pennsylvania and in new york,
rejoice in hope. be patient in suffering. persevere in prayer. contribute to the needs of the saints. extend hospitality to strangers. bless those who persecute you. bless and don t curse them. rejoice with those who rejoice. weep with those who weep. live in harmony with one another. don t be haughty but associate with the lowly. don t claim to be wiser than you are. do not repay anyone evil for evil.
outdo one another in showing honor. do not lag in zeal. be ardent in spirit. serve the lord. rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering persevere in prayer. contribute to the needs of the saints, extend hospitality to strangers. bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. rejoice with those who rejoice. weep with those who weep.
outdo one another in showing honor. do not lag in zeal. be ardent in spirit. serve the lord. rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. contribute to the needs of the saints, extend hospitality to strangers. bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. rejoice with those who rejoice. weep with those who weep. live in harmony with one another.
acceptable, and perfect. let love be genuine. hate what is evil. hold fast to what is good. love one another with mutual affection. outdo one another in showing honor. do not lag in zeal. be ardent in spirit. serve the lord. rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering persevere in prayer. contribute to the needs of the saints, extend hospitality to strangers. bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them.