This prayer challenge – praying for your enemies – may take more faith than any mode of prayer that we've discussed thus far.
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44 NIV
Wow, we thought it was going to take faith to pray for your enemies, but we have to love them, too? God, how much can we bear?
For whatever reason, the NKJV goes into more detail than the other versions of Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44 NKJV
This version spells out how we are to treat our enemies. How can we possible be nice to people who hate us and pray for those who mistreat us let alone love them? We do it by faith. We do it because God's word says to and because He won't ask us to do something impossible. We do it because we want to please Him by obeying His word. Remember that we are people who DO the word. If you call yourself a believer and live under the lordship of Jesus Christ, doing the Word is not an option—it's a lifestyle.
There's a promise that goes with obeying this Word:
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV
By obeying verse 44, we show that we are children of our Heavenly Father. Our actions are speaking louder than our Words. As sons and daughters we can do this. Do I have proof? I'm so glad you asked.
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:33-34 NIV
People who crucify you are your ENEMIES. People who roll dice in front of you to take your clothes while they kill you are your ENEMIES. And yet, what did Jesus do? He prayed. He found love and compassion in His heart and prayed for His enemies. He showed that He is a Son of the Father in heaven.
Like Father, like Son. Sometime before the crucifixion, Jesus made it clear that He was like the Father.
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. John 5:19-20 NKJV
By the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can pray for our enemies and love our enemies as He did because we are sons and daughters, too. He realized that His enemies were ignorant—they did not know what they were doing. Keep that in mind. Anyone who mistreats you is definitely ignorant in the ways of God.
We can start there by asking the Father to forgive our enemies. Then we can pray for them as we would want someone to pray for us. It may take practice to pray for our enemies, it may be difficult in the beginning. But as we obey the Word and become more like our Father, He is going to help us do what He told us.
What would happen if you prayed for your enemies? And how can we deal with our enemies in all practicality?
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21NIV
Pray for your enemy(ies) – we can do this!
Father, I lift up ___________ to Your throne of grace. First I forgive _______ and I ask that You forgive _________, too. He/she does not know what he/she is doing. As far as it depends on me . . . for my part . . . I want to live in peace with ________. I pray that You will bless _______ with good health, peace of mind, love, joy, and prosperity. I pray blessing upon blessing upon blessing for _________. Father, I know that You love ______ and I pray that he/she will come into the full knowledge of Your love. If I ever see that ________ has a need, bless me to fulfill that need with a pure, generous heart. If I have water when _______ is thirsty, help me to share. If I have food when ________ is hungry, help me to not hold anything back. I want to be like You. I want to be a light in this dark world, so I choose to bless______ instead of cursing him/her. I choose to speak well of _______ instead of evil. Help me to see the good side of ________. Just because I pray for ________ it does not mean that we will be best friends. _________ may forever choose to be my enemy, but as long as he/she is within my sphere of influence, I will pray blessings. Thank You for helping me to show Your love, in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
