Edith Cavell was an English vicar's daughter and a nurse. Early on the morning of October 12, 1915, she was tied to a stake and shot in German-occupied Belgium as a traitor. Her "crime?" Assisting soldiers in their flight to neutral Holland. An eyewitness described her last moments: "After receiving the sacrament, and within minutes of being led out to her death, she said, 'Standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness toward anyone.'" Her white marble statue stands today just above Trafalgar Square in London. On its base are carved the words, "Patriotism is not enough."

Edith Cavell's words and story trouble me this morning. At least seven soldiers are now held as prisoners of war in Iraq. Seeing their pictures this morning causes us all to grieve. Dozens more have died in the conflict there. Today's news tells of nine Americans killed and 40 wounded after an Iraqi unit pretended to surrender and then opened fire. Saddam Hussein told his people that victory would "be theirs soon."

It is hard not to hate, hard not to be bitter. And yet Jesus told us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5.44-45). He explains that even the "tax collectors," notorious for their treacherous support of the occupying Roman Empire, love those who love them; even the "pagans" greet those who greet them. Anyone can love those who are lovely and loving. Only a person endued with the Holy Spirit can love those who hate and hurt.

Watching the war coverage each day will cause our hearts and souls to become bitter, vengeful, and broken unless we do as Jesus says. We will grow increasingly frustrated as the war progresses and more lives are lost. We will harbor hatred and resentment long after the conflict is over. Our souls will be poisoned with anger toward our enemies.

The only way out is to pray for those we are tempted to hate. To ask God to show them the light of his love and truth. To ask the Father to bring even Saddam Hussein to repentance and faith, and his people with him. To ask the Spirit to guide our intercession for our troops, our leaders, our people, but also those who oppose us and would kill us.

Edith Cavell is right: we must have no hatred or bitterness toward anyone, for the sake of our own souls. But this is a very hard thing. Only God can enable us to do it, when we ask for his help. If you are not willing, are you willing to be made willing?

Copyright © 2003. James C. Denison. All rights reserved.