Michael Anderson

Dear Friends,

Have you ever held bitterness in your heart toward someone who offended you? I have. Haven’t we all?

In today’s Old Testament lesson we meet Balak, a Moabite king and Balaam, a prophet. The story starts when the king hires the prophet to curse Israel. It’s a strange tale—complete with a talking donkey! But in the end, Balaam defies Balak and, instead of cursing Israel, gives her his blessing. (see Numbers chapters 22-24)

In my heart there are two beings, two contradictory beings, a Balak and a Balaam, a curser and a blesser. And I thank God that, with his help, I can always choose Balaam’s way.

Years ago, I struggled with a deep resentment against a man. (I’ll call him Bill). As hard as I tried, I couldn’t get rid of that resentment. Then a wise friend offered this counsel. He said, “Here’s something that has worked for me: start praying for Bill every day, asking God to give him everything you want for yourself. Ask him to give Bill all the love you want, all the happiness, all the peace and success you want. Say that prayer every day for two weeks and it will change your heart. Say it like you mean it. Say it like it’s the truth even though it feels like a lie. Michael, pray for Bill every day for two weeks, and you will be free.”

I am so grateful for that wise counsel; so grateful I was willing to start saying the blessing prayer.

Then, one morning—actually it took longer than two weeks!—I woke up realizing something had changed; that what I’d been saying with my mouth, I now felt in my heart. The resentment was gone and in its place was true compassion and love for Bill. It felt so good, I wanted to keep on praying. And so I did—for another three months! That was five years ago, and though I haven’t had to say that blessing prayer for Bill, I have said it for others—all with the same effect.

Today I am grateful that whenever anger or resentment or bitterness arises, I know what to do. With God’s help I can defy Balak and embrace Balaam. Rejecting the urge to curse, I can pray the blessing prayer.

—Michael Anderson