Praying for Our Enemies
I previously shared why we should forgive those that hurt us. But God calls us to go even a step farther and pray for our enemies.
Again, this is easier said than done.
I have had several situations in which I was deeply betrayed by others I trusted and loved. This hurt deeply. But, I chose to forgive the and to pray for them.
I could not undo their actions, which spoke louder than any words.
Our friendship or relationship was never restore, but that did not matter to me.
I was praying for something greater than what we had. I was praying for their soul and their relationship with God.
So, what did my prayer look like?
It depended on the individual or situation, but was somewhere along the following lines:
Lord, I pray for this person. You know what happened and why, I pray for their:
- Heart to be turned towards you
- Life to be used to your glory
- Soul, that they will come to know and love you
- Life, that you will reveal yourself to them in a powerful way
- Heart, that they will come to know you in a very real and powerful way
- Soul, to become more like you
- Heart, to find the healing that is needed
- Spirit, that you will speak to them and draw them closer to you
I prayed these prayers, sometimes with a tenacity I did not know I possessed. In some circumstances, I heard of the outcome of these prayers, but often I still have no idea today how God used these prayers.
There are some that hurt me decades ago, but whenever they come to my mind today, I use that time to pray for them.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-45 says, “ Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.”
How do you pray for your enemies?
Praying for our enemies can bring about #forgiveness Share on X
*Pictures courtesy of Pixabay.com