What Should We Pray When We Pray for Our Enemies?

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Good News For Youth (GNFY) published under the oversight of the Alkire Rd Church of Christ elders and posted by permission of the editor.

It is always appropriate to pray...

Jesus taught his disciples to pray (Matthew 6:5-15). We pray when things are going good in our lives and we pray when adversity looms over us. We pray for our loved ones and we pray for our enemies as well. What, then, should we pray for?

Pray that our enemies see the error of their way.

We want them to acknowledge their evil and turn from it. We don’t want them to get their just reward. We would love to call them our brother in the Lord someday. "...Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:19-21).

Pray that their heart will be softened by the gospel
and that they will come to a knowledge of the truth.

We pray this for all men. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:1-4).

When our enemies learn the truth, accept it, and obey it, they will no longer want to be our enemy. We want them to be our brother in the Lord. We should work to that end.

Pray that they have the opportunity to repent of their sins.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you" (II Peter 3:15). Every day one lives is another day they have to learn the truth, to repent, be baptized and live a faithful Christian life (Acts 2:38).

Pray that we stand up under persecution
from the enemies of the cross of Christ.

"...My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:2-3). "...And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience hope" (Romans 5:3-4). Although not pleasant at the time, we will be stronger as a result of persecution.

Pray we will be able to learn and profit from the experience.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Corinthians 4:17).

Pray for your enemies!

-– Garland M. Robinson, November 2001 –-