Dear Doves,

          I felt led to do a study on why Christians should pray for their enemies.  Looking at the relevant  verses from the Old and New Testaments, I believe that Jesus made a shift in the way that we are to respond to others.

A Shift to Love

          “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35.

          “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”  Matthew 5:38-39.

          “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 sons 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43-48.

Forgiving Others Through Prayer

          Clearly, all of this is easier said than done.  But we see this shift put into practice in the life of Christ.  When He teaches the Disciples the model prayer, it includes a reference to those who wrong us.

          “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.  For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  Matthew 6:12-15.

          “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”  Luke 11:4.

          Please notice that we are instructed to forgive those who wrong us when we pray.  And we see this demonstrated by Jesus at the Cross:

          “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”  Luke 23:34.

          We also see this demonstrated by Stephen, the first Christian martyr:

          “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’  When he had said this, he fell asleep.  And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.”  Acts 7:59-60.

Saul the Persecutor/Paul the Persecuted

          Isn’t it interesting that Saul, the persecutor of the early Church, was there when Stephen was killed?  Everything comes full circle with Saul (also called Paul).  Do you think that anyone actually wanted to pray for Paul?  Do you think that anyone actually thought that he had any chance of being saved?

          And yet, Stephen did pray for him.  And, unbeknownst to the Church, God had plans for Paul.

          At the time of Paul’s conversion, God commands the assistance of a member of the Church.  His name was Ananias.  And according to my study Bible, it means “the Lord is gracious/shows grace.”  God tells Ananias to go to Paul, who was blinded on the road to Damascus, and to place his hands on him to restore his sight.  When Ananias tries to explain to God that Paul is an enemy to the Church, God tells him that He plans to use Paul to evangelize the Gentiles.  Ananias, to his credit, then obeys the will of God: 

          “‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’  But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go!  This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’  Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.  Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’  Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.  He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”  Acts 9:13-19.

Paul’s Own Words

          We all know that Paul became a pillar of the Church – and that even his letters became Scripture.  Although he suffered much persecution, and was martyred for his faith, he too prayed for his enemies and for the lost. 

          “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  Romans 12:14.

          “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  1 Timothy 2:2-4.

          “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”  Romans 10:1.

Why Should We Pray For Our Enemies?

          I do not mean to be flip, but the Bible tells us to pray for our enemies – to bless and not curse them.  It is as simple and as difficult as that.  I’ll be honest; my immediate reaction is to get mad, resentful or hurt by things that others do against me.  But I do not think that any of us should deliberately stay in an attitude that ignores the express will of God.

          We are in a period of grace – a time in which God wants everyone to come to repentance.

          “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:8-9.

          We are the instruments that God uses to bring others to Christ.  What we say and what we do will have an impact on our enemies.  (And you might not be around to see the fruit of it.)  Granted, there may not be a Paul hidden in the Saul that you are personally dealing with today; but there could be.  We are not always given the whole picture.  Surely Stephen did not know what would become of Paul when he prayed for him.

          Someday, there will be another shift to a period of holy wrath and judgment.  God will make the enemies of Christ His footstool.  And we will not have any enemies to worry about either.  But until that time, I believe that we should strive to reflect the mercy which was first shown to us.  With God, even the worst of us can be transformed.  

          “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”  Mark 11:25-26.

          God bless you all. 

                   – Lisa Taylor