SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE
Luke 6:35-36 Trying to build a prayer life can be difficult—whether you don’t know how to pray or you don’t feel like praying. So we’re here to help you connect with God with simple prayers for the everyday.
Do We Have To Pray for Everyone?
The word enemy sometimes feels a little dramatic. Maybe there was that kid in school who always did slightly better than you on tests. But, that was maybe more like a nemesis… a one-sided one, at that. Then, there’s the dude that cut you off on the way to work this morning. But, that only lasted for like 30 seconds, and you definitely had to repent after calling him that name (or making that gesture).
Sometimes, there are people who hurt us on a deeper level– physically, emotionally, psychologically. Or, people across the world who are causing certain wars in certain regions, and you cannot begin to fathom why they seem to be comfortable causing so. much. suffering.
The first paragraph of mini-enemies (minenemies? anemones?) are people that are pretty easy to think about when Jesus tells us to love and bless those who’ve caused us wrong. The second group? We… struggle with these guys.
But, scripture is clear about how we should think about, and pray about, others. If you’re looking for words to pray for the people who cause some of the biggest wrongs, maybe give this prayer a try:
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36).
A Prayer for Your Enemies
God of Shalom, Prince of Peace, soften my heart toward [name]. Let me remember them first as a child of the King, a fellow image-bearer. Lord, we are all in need of redemption. Work miraculously in both of our lives. Lead us, always, into a place of repentance for any wrongdoing and reconciliation for any pain. May encountering the truth of your love bring transformation. May we both experience the abundance and blessings of your grace. Amen.
We believe a simple prayer like this helps us in our mission to creatively explore how we connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, everyday moments of life. For more everyday prayers, visit this page!
