There were times in my childhood when my mother would say, “I think you kids sit up at night and think of ways to torment one another.” I knew I didn’t do that; I was at the end of the bed, reading by the streetlight. But I could, and did, imagine each of my brothers– pen in hand, copybook on their knees–making a list of activities and events sure to send me ’round the bend.
As I have gotten older, (N. B. I refrain from claiming ‘wiser’) I understand that people don’t think up ways to annoy me, they annoy me by their lack of thinking. Precisely as I annoy others. Maybe we should not try to pray for our enemies as much as we try to pray for those who annoy us. Perhaps I need to remember that we all seem to share an enormous portion of unintentionality when it comes to our actions and their subsequent outcomes.
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St. Alban's Parish is a vibrant and diverse Episcopal Church in Washington, DC near the National Cathedral. We come from every walk of life, every culture and context, and every corner of this region.
St. Alban's Parish is active in the city, engaging social issues, and making the reconciling love of Christ known in word and deed. We have ministries for children, youth, young adults, adults, and the elderly. We have outreach programs that address homelessness, poverty, the environment, and hunger. We believe in being open and inclusive to all people no matter disability, age, income, gender, race, or sexual orientation. We welcome the faithful, the seeker, and the doubter, because God's embrace is wide, and God's good news is for all people. We want you to come, participate, grow in God's love, and become a part of the Body of Christ at St. Alban's!
The Daily Cup 
Maybe we should pray that we have the wisdom to assume innocence in others actions rendering them much less annoying. It is something I struggle with – thanks for bringing it into my conscience today.