Covid-19: Should I pray for the Trumps?

'But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your father in heaven.' - Matthew 5.44.

'When they go low, we go high.' - Michelle Obama, 2016.

Schadenfreude, it's the delight we take in the misfortune of others is a delicious and tempting, if destructive mode of thought. Which of us after all in their darkest moments does not take illicit delight in imagining the downfall of their foes? But however tempting schadenfreude is, it is an ultimately destructive mode of thought. Perhaps not destructive for those whose downfall we seek, but destructive for us as we lose a part of our humanity, as we take delight in the pain of others. But as Christians we are called to pray for those who trouble us, not curse them which is what Schadenfreude ultimately is.

- I am writing this having read this morning that Donald and Melania Trump have tested positive for Covid-19. As soon as it read that news my Facebook feed was awash with sharply cruel memes, ones that took delight in his positive diagnosis. Schadenfreude in its purest form. First one finds oneself taking a sick delight in the misfortune of others, then once realising what it is that I am taking delight in,  and my mirth turns to ashes in my mouth and chagrin overtakes me.

I have often wondered whether it is right to pray for those with whom we disagree very strongly, it's not as easy a question to answer as one might think. I am then reminded of Colin Slee, the former Dean of Southwark Cathedral. (He died about 9-10 years ago of cancer.) An outspoken and bombastic man, he had taken many stands for the cause of liberal Anglicanism, and had crossed swords with many senior clergymen from across the Anglican Communion because of it. As he lay dying he received messages from many of these former interlocutors, promising him their love and prayers. They may have violently in their arguments, yet saw it as vital to pray for Colin and his family and he lay dying. We are not called to agree with those for whom we pray, but we are called to pray for them.

The Bible calls not to curse our enemies, or to delight in their downfall: Schadenfreude is completely off the menu for the faithful Christian. As Michele Obama famously said, 'when they go low, we go high'. Trump's administration had routinely gone as low as one possibly can, harnessing the forces of darkness, chaos and hate in order to further his political and economic agenda. But are called not to respond like with like, but to seek a better, more positive way, a way that seeks the common humanity of all, and the fair treatment of all by the forces of the law and government. In this instance, in this county this means praying for the Trump's, for their healing, and ultimately for justice to be served. (Don't forget that Mary in the Magnificat calls for the overthrow of the earthly powers: revolution and radical change are always options in the economy of the Kingdom of God! And revolution and radical change are not always easily won.)

It is important to note that in praying for the welfare of the Trumps we are not condoning their beliefs or actions, far from it. St Paul in his letter to the Romans (12.21-2) promises us that  '‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.' Evil cannot abide the good, but in praying for the welfare of those who trouble us we are going high where they would low. Far from condoning Trump's beliefs, we are showing the better, more Christlike way. Though we should not expect thanks for this, the Psalmist (in Psalm 35) notes that he mourned when his enemies were ill, but they delighted when he was afflicted himself. 

Finally praying for those who trouble us, including the Trumps, is a transformative act: in doing so we are asking that God transform the situation for the better. It also an act of radical defiance, for which of our foes takes delight in our welfare?! He delights in division and destruction, he enjoys disparaging and destroying his opponents. Christ on the other hand calls us to unity and to care for all of creation, including Donald and Melania Tump who are part of that creation.

- On this Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, we pray for the health and welfare of Donald and Melania Trump, for all suffering from Covid-19, and those who care for them. May God watch over them and bring them his healing and peace, and may the holy angels of God protect the  Church and people of God. Amen.