The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) houses some of the most difficult teachings of Jesus. For me personally, some of Jesus’ most daunting instructions are found about a third of the way into His message: “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…” (Matthew 5: 43-44, NIV)
The “love” part doesn’t bother me much. But the “prayer” part is different. I intentionally choose to pray. And Jesus says, “…pray for those who persecute you…” I struggle with that.
Praying about my enemies is much easier. I can pray for swift demise. I can pray for satisfying revenge.
But that’s not what Jesus said. And because Jesus knows what’s in a man (John 2: 24-25), that’s probably why He didn’t say it.
Jesus said to pray for those who persecute you.
When I pray for my enemies, what exactly do I pray? Do I pray for their hearts to soften? Do I pray for their forgiveness? Do I pray for their protection from harm? Do I pray for their ultimate well-being? Praying for enemies would certainly include all those petitions, but there’s still more.
Jesus clarified the purpose for His colossal challenge in the very next verse, “…that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 45, NIV) I pray for those who persecute me because that’s what Jesus did, and that’s what God wants. He prayed for those who tried to obstruct His long-awaited ministry. On the cross, He prayed for the soldiers who nailed His tortured body to the splinter ridden beams.
Jesus never expects His students to do what He hasn’t done. If you need help praying for (rather than about) your enemies, ask your Savior to strengthen you. Ask His Spirit to intercede for you (Romans 8: 26, NIV).
The gates of hell shake when righteous souls pray.
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