Praying for one’s enemies is a challenging but important concept in the Bible. Jesus himself commands believers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). But what does it actually mean to pray for someone who has wronged or hurt you? Here is an in-depth look at what the Bible says about praying for enemies.
The command to pray for enemies
Jesus gave the command to pray for enemies in the Sermon on the Mount. After teaching believers to turn the other cheek, give more than asked, and go the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-42), Jesus then said to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). This was a radical command, as nowhere in the Old Testament are God’s people commanded to love and pray for their enemies. However, Jesus calls believers to a higher standard of holiness, mirroring God’s love which shines on both the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45). Praying for enemies displays supernatural love that witnesses to the transforming power of God.
The command to pray for enemies is repeated elsewhere in the New Testament. Romans 12:14 says to “bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” 1 Peter adds, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). As these verses show, praying for enemies applies Jesus’ radical ethic of enemy-love to Christian conduct.
The purpose and power of praying for enemies
Why does Scripture place such emphasis on praying for enemies? First, it reflects the very character and actions of God. Jesus prayed for his enemies while on the cross, saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Stephen prayed similarly while being stoned to death in Acts 7:60. When believers pray for the forgiveness and blessing of enemies, they are modeling godly character. Second, praying for enemies has spiritual power. It invokes God’s grace to soften the hearts of enemies, opening them to repentance and reconciliation. Third, praying for enemies protects the believer’s own heart from bitterness and revenge. It overcomes evil with good (Romans 12:21). As one prays for an enemy’s repentance, one’s own heart changes to see them as God sees them.
How to pray for enemies
Practically speaking, how can believers pray for enemies in a way that aligns with Scripture? Here are some biblical ways to pray for those who persecute you:
- Pray for their repentance and salvation (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Pray that God would open their eyes to sin and need for Christ.
- Pray for God to bless them (Romans 12:14). Ask God to meet their practical needs.
- Pray for their spiritual growth in Christ (Matthew 5:44-45). If they profess Christ, pray for their maturation.
- Pray for God to have mercy on them (Matthew 5:7). Ask God to extend grace and forgiveness.
- Pray for protection from their evil actions (Psalm 140:1-5). Ask God to restrain their harmful intents.
- Pray for them to be released from the grip of the devil (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Pray for spiritual warfare on their behalf.
- Pray for unity and reconciliation (Romans 12:18). Ask God to restore relationships.
- Pray for changed hearts (Ezekiel 11:19-20). Pray for God to give them new desires for righteousness.
- Pray for their felt needs to be met (Matthew 5:45). Ask God to provide what they truly need.
- Pray for their situation, not just them (John 17:15). Seek their good in tangible ways.
Such prayers recognize enemies as blinded sinners in need of God’s transforming grace. Praying for enemies promotes love while trusting God’s justice. Biblical prayers for enemies focus on redemption, not retaliation.
Blessings of praying for enemies
Praying for enemies is difficult but profoundly impacts believers who do so. What are some blessings that come from praying for enemies biblically?
- It results in spiritual growth and Christlike character (James 1:2-4). As we pray for enemies, God shapes us into His image.
- It provides a powerful witness (Matthew 5:16). Others see God’s love manifested.
- It overcomes evil with good (Romans 12:21). Rather than being overcome by evil, we overcome evil itself.
- It offers spiritual protection (Psalm 69:13-18). Prayers reverse harm wished upon us.
- It preserves unity in the church (Ephesians 4:1-3). Praying for enemies promotes harmony.
- It brings joy (Luke 6:22-23). Blessings come to those who pray for enemies.
- It results in future reward (Matthew 5:11-12). God will reward those who bless enemies.
- It may lead to reconciliation (Romans 12:18). Prayers can restore relationships.
- It reveals God’s love (Matthew 5:44-45). We display God’s gracious character.
- It disables the devil (2 Timothy 2:24-26). The devil loses influence over enemies.
These blessings motivate and empower believers to persist in praying for enemies, leaving vengeance to the Lord (Romans 12:19).
Examples of biblical figures praying for enemies
Throughout Scripture, we find inspiring examples of godly men and women praying for their enemies. Here are a few notable examples:
- Jesus – He prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He modeled enemy-love perfectly.
- Stephen – While being stoned to death, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). He mirrored Christ’s forgiving prayer.
- David – Though relentlessly pursued by Saul, David refused to kill him when he had the chance (1 Samuel 24:1-7). He prayed for Saul instead.
- Jeremiah – He prayed for the welfare of Babylon, the nation who captured Judah (Jeremiah 29:7). He prayed for Israel’s enemies.
- Isaac – He made peace with the Philistines after they stopped up his father’s wells (Genesis 26:12-33). He did not retaliate.
- Paul – Despite intense persecution, he consistently prayed for the salvation of his fellow Jews (Romans 10:1). He longed for their redemption.
These examples inspire us to persist in praying for the blessing and salvation of our enemies today. We follow in the footsteps of Christ and the cloud of witnesses who prayed similarly.
Praying for enemies when hurting, in danger, or abused
What about praying for enemies in extreme cases of hurt, danger, or abuse? Is it still possible to pray biblically for persecutors?
In these difficult situations, Scripture guides believers to:
- Honestly bring pain and heartache to God (Psalm 13:1-2)
- Ask God for justice (Revelation 6:10)
- Forgive unconditionally, even if reconciliation is unsafe (Luke 17:3-4)
- Bless enemies and rely on God’s vengeance (Romans 12:14; Deuteronomy 32:35)
- Desire their salvation while protecting oneself (Psalm 35:13-14)
- Trust God’s sovereign ability to change hearts (Proverbs 21:1)
- Overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21)
So even when enemies are dangerously abusive, believers can draw on God’s grace to pray for their repentance and salvation, leaving justice and protection to the Lord. We follow Jesus’ model of loving enemies in the midst of wrongs against us.
Limits of praying for enemies
Is there ever a time when prayer for enemies is inadequate or inappropriate? Scripture gives several limits:
- We cannot pray for the success of evil plans (Psalm 140:8).
- We must not pray against God’s direct will (James 4:3).
- We cannot pray for God to damn our enemies.
- We should not enable abusive behavior through prayer.
- Justice and protection of victims takes priority over enemy-blessing.
- The salvation of enemies cannot be forced against their will.
- Prayer for enemies is limited by God’s sovereign plan (Romans 11:33-36).
Within biblical guidelines, we are called to consistently love and pray for our enemies. But we acknowledge God’s sovereign control over the outcomes.
Trusting God with the results
While believers are called to faithfully love and pray for enemies, the results are in God’s hands. We are not guaranteed enemies will repent when we pray for them. But we trust the following truths:
- God knows our heart behind prayer for enemies (1 John 3:19-22)
- Our job is to be faithful; God’s job is to be sovereign (1 Corinthians 4:2)
- God works all things for our growth and His glory (Romans 8:28-29)
- God will exercise perfect justice when Jesus returns (Revelation 19:11-16)
- Our real enemy is Satan, not flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12)
- God may choose to redeem enemies or judge them (Romans 12:19-21)
When we struggle to pray for a difficult enemy, we cast our cares on God who judges justly (1 Peter 5:7). We find power and grace to love and pray redemptively.
Conclusion
Praying for enemies is a vital application of loving others like Christ. Though often difficult, praying for those who persecute us displays God’s radical love. We are called to pray for enemies to be blessed, protected, saved, and changed. As we pray biblically for enemies, we overcome evil with good, trusting God to work in His time. The Bible urges us to persistently love and pray for enemies, leaving room for God’s justice and will to prevail. This is the essence of what Scripture teaches about praying for enemies according to the model of Christ.