The Prayers Of Jesus: A 5-Day DevotionalSample

Jesus Prayed for His Enemies

Our Lord preached many sermons during the course of his ministry (Mark 1:38), one of the most famous of which instructed his followers to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors (Matt. 5:44). True sons of the Father act like him (Matt. 5:45). Jesus knew, of course, that one day this command would test him to the fullest. Could he pray for those crucifying him? Would he, by praying for his enemies, prove himself to be the true Son of his heavenly Father? 

In the context of Luke 23, Christ’s enemies are Jews and Romans, both of whom were responsible for his death. In his agony and distress, he did not become self-focused. He turned to prayer. Naturally, he called upon his Father, this time not to remove his bitter “cup” of wrath but to forgive the sins of those who heinously acted against him, the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8). 

Jesus found himself in a position where all he could do was pray for others. He prayed not for mere onlookers but for those showing tangible hatred. This was a perfect occasion for Christ to live out his own preaching ministry. And he did so in the most spectacular way possible: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).