Praying for Enemies: A Radical Call to Love and Bless Those Who Hurt Us

Loving Your Enemies: A Radical Call to Pray for Those Who Persecute You

Have you ever been hurt or mistreated by someone? It's natural to feel anger and resentment towards those who have wronged us. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to a higher standard. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus tells us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This command may seem impossible or even unreasonable, but it is an essential part of living out our faith.

Prayer for our enemies is not just a formality or a nice gesture. It is a deep expression of love and concern for their well-being. When we pray for our enemies, we are demonstrating that we genuinely want good things to happen to them. It goes beyond simply doing nice things for them; it is interceding with God on their behalf.

But what does it mean to pray for our enemies? It means desiring their best, even when they have caused us pain or harm. It means praying for their conversion, their repentance, and their awakening to the enmity in their hearts. It means praying that they will be stopped in their destructive path, even if it takes illness or calamity to do so. The prayer Jesus has in mind is always for their ultimate good.

Jesus himself exemplified this kind of prayer as he hung on the cross. Despite the immense suffering he endured, he cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). In his moment of greatest agony, Jesus prayed for the very people who were responsible for his crucifixion.

Another powerful example is found in the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. As he was being stoned to death, he fell to his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" (Acts 7:60). In the face of intense persecution, Stephen prayed for the forgiveness and salvation of his persecutors.

These examples challenge us to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards our enemies. Are we willing to pray for them, even when they are nowhere around? Do we desire their salvation and long for their presence in heaven with us? Are we willing to pray for their eternal happiness?

Praying for our enemies requires a transformation of our hearts and minds. It goes against our natural inclinations to seek revenge or harbor bitterness. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to a different way of living. We are called to love and bless those who curse us, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:27-28).

In Romans 12:20, the apostle Paul writes, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." This verse reminds us that our acts of kindness and our prayers for our enemies have the power to soften their hearts and bring about change.

Praying for our enemies also helps us to overcome our own bitterness and resentment. When we genuinely desire good things for our enemies, it becomes harder to hold onto anger and unforgiveness. Our hearts become filled with compassion and empathy, and we begin to see our enemies through the eyes of God.

But how do we pray for our enemies? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Pray for their conversion: Ask God to open their hearts to the truth of the gospel and to bring them into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

2. Pray for their repentance: Ask God to convict them of their sins and to lead them to turn away from their destructive ways.

3. Pray for their awakening: Ask God to open their eyes to the harm they are causing and to help them see the need for change.

4. Pray for their protection: Ask God to shield them from harm and to keep them safe from the consequences of their actions.

5. Pray for their healing: If they are suffering from physical or emotional pain, ask God to bring healing and restoration to their lives.

6. Pray for reconciliation: Ask God to bring about reconciliation and restoration in your relationship with your enemy, if it is possible and in accordance with His will.

7. Pray for their eternal salvation: Pray that your enemies would come to know Jesus as their Savior and that they would spend eternity with Him in heaven.

As we pray for our enemies, it is important to remember that our prayers may not always be answered in the way we expect or desire. God's ways are higher than our ways, and He knows what is best for each person. We must trust Him to work in the hearts and lives of our enemies, even if we don't see immediate results.

Praying for our enemies is a radical and counter-cultural act. It goes against our natural instincts and requires us to rely on the power of God's grace. But as we obediently follow Jesus' command to love our enemies, we will experience the transformative power of His love in our own lives.

So let us take up the challenge to pray for our enemies, to genuinely desire their best, and to express those desires in heartfelt prayers. May God give us the grace to love and pray for those who persecute us, knowing that through our prayers, God can bring about change and transformation in their lives.