Prayer for Enemies

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OVERVIEW

Praying for our enemies is a very important aspect to our faith and witness in Jesus. The concept of not merely praying for, but also doing good, blessing, and loving our enemies is against most of what is taught in our culture and world. The saying, “Scratch my back and I will scratch yours” is the predominant base of our relationships. However, this is not the base for Jesus’ relationships―his base is selfless love, blessing, and goodness―no matter who they are. Forgiveness is at the heart of praying for your enemies. This process of forgiveness may take a long time, but the more you pray to bless and love them, the easier it will be to forgive.

SCRIPTURE

Luke 6.27-36

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

YOUR ENEMIES

Think about people in your life (past and present):

  • Who do you have a difficult time being around?
  • Who brings about anger or frustration at the mention of their name?
  • Who has hurt or mistreated you?

As you think about that neighbor, co-worker, boss, friend, acquaintance, etc.; take time to pray for them. When you pray for them, if you still have resentment, anger, frustration towards them, pray routinely for them. If you are around them consistently, think of ways to love and bless them.

PRAYERS

Humble Blessing:

God, bless _________ : raise him/her above me; give him/her greater love, support, and community than I have; give him/her greater success than I have; and help him/her participate in the restoration of the world more than I do. Amen.

Reconciliation:

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead ________ and me/us from prejudice to truth: deliver ________ and me/us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

REFLECT

Read one or more of these passages and reflect upon them.

  • Matthew 5.43-48, 6.9-15
  • Romans 12.17-21
  • 1 Peter 3.8-18