In Exodus 21, Old Testament law requires strict penalties for damages done to another person in anger: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand. This law was for enemies only in the sense that both parties were children of Israel so they were countrymen who couldn't get along with each other.
God's Way of Treating Enemies
During New Testament times, the Roman Empire ruled the Holy Land. Romans were considered first class citizens and everyone else second. Friends and enemies were often created by political allegiances and family traditions.
It was in this climate of distrust and hate, plots and murders, that Jesus said, “I'm telling you to love your enemies. . .When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer. . . This is what God does. He gives his best — the sun to warm and the rain to nourish — to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty." (Matthew 5:44-45, The Message)
A Sample Prayer for Those who Choose to Love Their Enemies
Sample prayers are just suggestions, words that may spur someone to begin praying. They will be most helpful when modified to better fit the circumstances of the person using them.
“Gracious God, you know the wrong that has been committed against me. I have already forgiven ______ and ask that you help my heart as I choose to love him/her.
“Please give me opportunities to show love and kindness to _________. Improve the situation of his/her life, shower him/her with blessings, and soften his/her heart so that love can begin to replace some of the hate, anger and hurt that grows there now.
“In the name of the One who loved even those who killed Him, amen.”
A Sample Prayer for Someone Who Wants to Be Friends
Sometimes – especially with the passage of time – when a non-Christian experiences Christian love, he or she may decide they want to be close friends with the believer. This can be difficult for a Christian who feels they have little in common. However, friendship with a Christ-follower is how some people find friendship with Christ so it is important to be open to such relationships.
The following prayer may be helpful:
“Loving God, you know my heart does not really agree with some of the things ________ does and you know all of my reasons. Let me put my feelings aside now as I choose to follow your model and love him/her.
“I don't see very many areas of compatibility between us but I know he/she is unhappy and lonely. Lord, give me patience as I listen to his/her complaints. Give me wisdom to ask him/her thought-provoking questions and guide my listening to hear what he/she is really saying.
“Lord, please don't let me be so uncomfortable with this relationship that I am unwilling to share You with him/her. I know You love him/her. He/she is loud, brash, arrogant, pushy and wants to do things that I am not comfortable doing. I don't really want to be his/her best friend. . .but I know You do. So help me be You to him/her. Let me love him/her as You do. Regardless of his/her behavior, I choose to be a kind, considerate, honest and faithful friend. Let me mirror You so that my new friend may discover how much You love him/her too!
“I ask that you will give my friend both material and spiritual blessings. Make his/her life better. Protect him/her and his/her family.
“Your friendship with me has taught me much about how to be a friend to others. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you, dear Lord. Amen.”
Asking God to bless people who do not deserve blessings is evidence of Christian love. Sometimes praying for people who are not friends or even friendly may change the situation or a person. The change may even happen in the believer!
Before praying for those who have caused harm, a Christian needs to forgive them. The Bible is very clear about the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness as Practiced by a Biblica Christian may help a reader better understand the process of forgiving.
Mistie Shaw - Writing for nearly half a century, Shaw's interests and education meander from music to the military, and from faith to fun.
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