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Pray for Those Who Persecute You
“Pray for those who persecute you.” This command from Jesus is one of the most challenging directives given to His followers. As His disciples, we are called to bless, love, and pray for our enemies. But how can we genuinely pray for someone who seeks to harm us? On our own, this seems impossible. However, through the power of God’s Spirit working within us, all things are possible. With Jesus, we can pray for our enemies. Here’s one way you might approach such a prayer:
Understanding the Biblical Perspective on Praying for Enemies
In the Old Testament, even the righteous sometimes prayed for God to destroy their enemies in harsh ways. These were not prayers of blessing but of justice and retribution. Yet, as the Bible evolved, Proverbs and other passages began to speak about treating our enemies in more positive, compassionate ways.
Jesus, however, revolutionized this concept. He turned life upside down with His radical command to bless, love, and pray for our enemies. He did not specify who these enemies were but described them in the Beatitudes as those who mock, persecute, lie about us, or use us spitefully. Remarkably, He declared that we are blessed if we endure such treatment.
Moreover, Jesus made it clear that those who are not for Him are against Him, setting a stark contrast between His followers and the world. He taught a new way to live: with love, not hate. Jesus encouraged us to recognize that our true enemy is Satan, the source of all wrongs, and instructed us on how to resist him.
When it comes to our earthly enemies, the task of praying for them can seem daunting. We might not know what to pray or how to feel genuine in our prayers. In these moments, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to intercede for us, guiding our hearts and words.
A Personal Journey of Transformation
For me, this has been one of the two hardest things to do, and something that I am still working on with the help of the Holy Spirit. The other is accepting that God alone is responsible for dispensing justice. My natural inclination has always been to seek my own form of justice and to hold onto grudges. But through the transformative power of Jesus Christ, I have learned to do both. It wasn’t easy, and it still isn’t. There are times when I catch myself wanting to revert back to my old ways, the “old man” within me.
What I am doing is not driven by vengeance but rather by compassion. This includes compassion for UPS, the Teamsters, and even President Joe Biden and his administration. Let me explain it this way: If I saw my neighbor’s house engulfed in flames in the early morning hours, and I knew they were still asleep and unaware that certain death was approaching, would it not be out of love and concern for my neighbor to run to their house, beat on the door, and shout with all my might to wake them and help them avoid death? Or should I, instead, remain silent, roll over, and go back to sleep, letting them perish in the flames? The latter is the embodiment of pure hatred.
I take a strong position and do not and will not compromise the Word of God for the sake of “feelings” or tolerance. Ultimately, what they choose after I’ve tried to wake all three from their sleep is on them. But they cannot lie and say that they haven’t been warned.
A Practical Way to Pray for Your Enemies
Here’s a simple prayer structure you might use:
Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty: Begin by recognizing God’s power and control over all situations.
Example: “Heavenly Father, You are sovereign over all creation. Your love and justice are perfect.”
Express Your Pain: Share your hurt and struggles with God honestly.
Example: “Lord, I am hurting because of the actions of [name or description]. It’s hard for me to understand why they seek to harm me.”
Seek God’s Help: Ask for God’s strength and guidance to forgive and bless.
Example: “I cannot forgive or bless them on my own, but I know that with Your Spirit, all things are possible. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.”
Pray for Transformation: Pray for the well-being and transformation of your enemy.
Example: “Lord, I pray that You would work in the heart of [name or description]. Transform their life with Your love and grace. Bring them to a place of repentance and healing.”
Trust in God’s Justice: Leave the outcome in God’s hands, trusting in His perfect justice.
Example: “I trust that You will handle this situation with perfect justice and mercy. Help me to rest in Your peace.”
Close with Gratitude: End with a note of thanksgiving for God’s presence and guidance.
Example: “Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer. Thank You for the peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.”
By following this structure, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s love, allowing Him to work through us even in the most challenging circumstances. Through Jesus, we can indeed pray for those who persecute us, embodying His love and grace in a broken world.
He enjoys hunting, fishing, auctions and spending time with his family. He grew up in Alabama and has worked for UPS as a feeder driver for almost 36-years. He has been an organizer for Teamsters Local 402, chief union steward, the former Gulf Coast Regional Director of the Association of Parcel Workers of America. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science and a second degree in Human Resource Management. He is the author of The Washington Mafioso’s UPSgate and he is planning on publishing the second book in the Domestic Enemy Incorporated series named Power Bottom for Satan: United Parcel Service and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Satanic War against the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Children and America.
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