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"E is for Enemies"
For most of us, true enemies – the likes of which we find in comic books or action films – are somewhat hard to come by. That may be why we tend to overlook them in prayer. If we’re being honest, though, it may also have something to do with the fact that praying for our enemies is just plain difficult. It’s not that we’re short on words: we just don’t like those people very much.
Perhaps you have a nemesis at school? Or maybe it’s that one-upper in your workplace? Could it be a sibling or other family member with whom you’ve had a falling out? Perhaps those are not “enemies” in the strictest sense of the word, but they are people with whom you have “enmity” (hostility) – which is not too far from the real thing.
No matter who or what your “enemies” may be, no matter what the circumstances of your enmity with them, you are in no way let off the hook when it comes to praying for them!
Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, told us to show kindness to our enemies, for God will reward our compassion. (Proverbs 25:21-22) Peter, the rock on which Christ would build His Church, reminded us not to repay one wrong with another. (1 Peter 3:9) And Jesus Himself commanded us explicitly to rebuke enmity and embrace mercy. (Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:27-28) It was He who reminded us that, in God’s eyes, harboring anger in our hearts is a serious offense. (Matthew 5:22) And lest we forget, it was Jesus who prayed for us – his Spiritual enemies – when He suffered and died on the cross at our hands. (Luke 23:34)
Not praying for your enemies may be convenient, it may even bring you some satisfaction, but in the end it says more about you than it does about them. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart today and identify the person (or persons) with whom you have enmity. Then, pray for them… and mean it.
For most of us, true enemies – the likes of which we find in comic books or action films – are somewhat hard to come by. That may be why we tend to overlook them in prayer. If we’re being honest, though, it may also have something to do with the fact that praying for our enemies is just plain difficult. It’s not that we’re short on words: we just don’t like those people very much.
Perhaps you have a nemesis at school? Or maybe it’s that one-upper in your workplace? Could it be a sibling or other family member with whom you’ve had a falling out? Perhaps those are not “enemies” in the strictest sense of the word, but they are people with whom you have “enmity” (hostility) – which is not too far from the real thing.
No matter who or what your “enemies” may be, no matter what the circumstances of your enmity with them, you are in no way let off the hook when it comes to praying for them!
Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, told us to show kindness to our enemies, for God will reward our compassion. (Proverbs 25:21-22) Peter, the rock on which Christ would build His Church, reminded us not to repay one wrong with another. (1 Peter 3:9) And Jesus Himself commanded us explicitly to rebuke enmity and embrace mercy. (Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:27-28) It was He who reminded us that, in God’s eyes, harboring anger in our hearts is a serious offense. (Matthew 5:22) And lest we forget, it was Jesus who prayed for us – his Spiritual enemies – when He suffered and died on the cross at our hands. (Luke 23:34)
Not praying for your enemies may be convenient, it may even bring you some satisfaction, but in the end it says more about you than it does about them. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart today and identify the person (or persons) with whom you have enmity. Then, pray for them… and mean it.
About this Plan
One of the greatest struggles many Christians face has nothing to do with the avoidance or rejection of any one sin, but rather with the neglect of intentional, meaningful prayer. Setting aside the time to pray can be a challenge. What’s more, making sure to pray the right way and for the right reasons (Matthew 6:5-18) can be just as challenging. “Being P.R.A.Y.E.R.F.U.L.” is designed with such challenges in mind.
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