Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

 

Do you have any enemies in your life? Maybe through an event or series of events a conflict developed and this person or group does all they can to make your life miserable. If you are breathing, you most likely have an enemy out there and you can probably identify them pretty quick. Experiencing this first hand, God reminded me of this verse. The one part that really stuck out was “pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

 

How and what do you pray, when you pray for your enemy? I’ve got a few ideas I’d like to share.

 

1.    Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34. I think the first thing you should do is follow Jesus example and ask for their forgiveness. I know that’s a tall order, but forgiveness helps remove the bitterness that has developed between you and them. Forgiving them might seem impossible, but if Jesus can do it while hanging on the cross, you can too, with His help.

2.    And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8. Ask God to pour out His love onto this person and help you to love them as God does you, a sinner washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. Loving your enemy is impossible on your own, but with the Holy Spirit’s power from within, you can grow to love even the most vile person who constantly tests you.

3.    Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16. Pray and ask God to provide an opportunity to bring the two of you together to talk and confess what’s on your heart so you can take the first step in healing. Trust me, you don’t want to go through life, constantly battling this person. God will help you in this matter, trust Him when He opens the door of opportunity to find common ground on the battlefield.

4.    Likewise the Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26. Sometimes the hurt we feel from our enemy paralyses us where we don’t know what to pray. As a child of God, you can have the confidence to know that the Holy Spirit is praying on your behalf and is working behind the scenes to help restore peace in your life. Lean on Him during the difficult moments of battle and know the battle has already been won by your loving Savior! God bless!