Have you ever prayed for your enemies or for those who mistreat you ?

Question

I find myself reluctant to do that at times...

Answer 1

reluctant - yes
But I do. In obedience I continue to pray for them. The Lord has been gracious with me, and shown me that His graciousness is infinite. In that, I have learned how He truly grieves for those who have fallen away from Him. There is no hate there, no animosity, no revenge, nothing but love. It's a very very freeing thing to feel love instead of hate....

thank you for this quesiton. Sometimes answering a question like this helps me get one step closer to further understand what God's plan truly is.

blessings :)

Answer 2

The scripture does not say "pray for your enemies", it says "DO good to your enemies". It is too easy to pray for the conversion of your enemies, which is a cynical way of "helping", despite good intentions. Jesus meant us to treat enemies with respect and look out for their earthly welfare. That is the effective way of changing hearts. No, it is not easy. Yes, I have done it occasionally, with mixed results. I should do it more often.

Answer 3

We all find ourselves reluctant. Just do it. For example spit with husband for a while was angry wanted to pray for him to have bad things but did what Jesus commands and prayed for him and agreed to forgive and I was much more peaceful. Evidently it helped him too as his attitude changed dramatically after. I didn't pray that he would change I prayed that he would have peace and he changed.
I pray for Ben Laden to have peace too but I don't think it is working.

Answer 4

It gets harder and harder to do so. I think I'll change my profile info. to reflect that idea so that people who get "offended" at my responses to their all too often thoughtlessness will have a clear understanding of why I answer the way I do. Yes, I used to pray for those who mistreat me or those I care about. Not anymore.

Answer 5

Yes, as a Muslim I have prayer for those who hate me for being a good believer to be guided and see the path of reightousness and follow it.
I have prayed for the terrorists and extremists to be guided to true Islam which is not crazy and evil as they make it out to be. I have prayed for them to stop murdering innocent people.
And I have prayed to God that he punishes the truly evil ones (like Saddam) in a most painful manner.

Answer 6

In the past, I prayed for large rocks to fall from the sky and mash my enemies flat.

Then I finished high school and got over it.

Answer 7

Yes, though it isn't easy. I do it to be obedient to God, and I find that if I do what He asks, those prayers become sincere and heartfelt. I am also reminded that He loves them too and that He sees the bigger picture.

Banana--It says in Matthew 5:44 to "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

Answer 8

Yes and it is difficult. A lot of times within these type of prayers I just have to ask God to soften my heart. As hard as it is we are commanded to love our enemies. It goes back to the old adage, hate the sin, love the sinner.

Answer 9

Yes, i do agree. somtimes it is a hard task to pray for others who hate you. but remember- they first hated God. they only hate God, because they don't know Him, and they desperatly want to. but i do try to make it a practice to pray for my enemies. Some of my enemies are actually my friends-if that makes sense. i have a best friend who really hates God at the moment, and in that way, i want nothing to do with her in the emo screamo music and metalica music she listens to and things, but i love her dearly and want what is best for her. I want to be patient and try to show her the love of God through my actions. but only by Him can i do that.

Much love in Christ
Rachel

Answer 10

Yes reluctant I would agree. No where does it say you should pray for your enemies. That would be foolish.