3 Reasons We Should Pray for Our Enemies

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus teaches, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This is a passage that is easy for us to forget when we’re surrounded by the worldly influences of competition and fighting, so I want to look at a few reasons why—other than this command—we should pray for our enemies.

1. Jesus prayed for his enemies.

We can see from Romans 5:10 and Colossians 1:21, that we ourselves were once enemies of God because of our sin, but we were reconciled to him through the blood of Jesus. In John 17, in the garden before he was arrested, Jesus prayed for us—for all who would come to believe in him due to the apostles’ teaching. He prayed that we may find peace and unity with God and with other believers. From the other gospel accounts, we also know that Jesus subjected himself to God’s will, even though that meant being handed over to his enemies (Matthew 26:39-42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42). Most surprisingly of all, however, Jesus prayed for his enemies even as he was hanging on the cross, saying “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 13:34). When we look at all of the examples that Jesus left us, we can also see why he prayed for his enemies—love. His actions and prayers demonstrate that Jesus truly loved his enemies and wanted them to come to know him so that they could be reconciled to God.

1. Praying for our enemies helps us to live at peace with ourselves and others.

Last week, I discussed how the Holy Spirit transforms us through our prayers so that we can become more like God. The same principle applies when we pray for our enemies because, by doing so, we find peace both with ourselves and others. Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7 that, when we pray, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus.” This is an inward peace, which only comes from God, that helps us react in a way that is pleasing to God despite whatever may happen to us physically. Paul also says that “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” and tells us to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:18, 21). When we pray for our enemies and find that peace in God, this becomes a much easier task and is an opportunity for us to show God’s love to the world.

1. Praying for our enemies sets us apart.

The response we are called to make to persecution sets us apart from the rest of the world. God treats the righteous and the unrighteous the same way while they are on earth (Matthew 5:45). When we love those that love us, we are no better than the pagans, according to verses 5:46-47. But when we love our enemies and pray for them, we are recognized as children of God because we are acting as he would, not as the world would expect us to. Praying for our enemies helps us to adopt his attitude of love and peace so that, when we can act in a way which they don’t expect, we show them God.

I have been trying to pray for the people I don’t like very much. It’s pretty hard, but I have noticed that it has made a huge difference in how I treat them. So, this week, I would like to challenge you all to pray for your enemies and to think of ways you can show God’s love to them and put them into practice.