Loving Enemies
Prayer for Loving Enemies
Heavenly Father,
In Matthew 5, You have commanded us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us. Father, in ourselves that’s hard.
Fill us with Your love and compassion. Forgive us for holding hard feelings, hate or bitterness against our enemies and the desire to avenge ourselves.
We thank You, LORD Jesus, You are our example. You lived a sinless life and then laid it down freely to save a world that couldn’t save itself. You suffered and shed your blood to pay the penalty for our sin before we knew who You were. There is no greater love than this.
Even when You were hanging on the cross, You asked the Father to forgive those who were responsible for your death while they jeered and mocked you. Such wondrous love!
Father, we declare we love our enemies. We forgive them. We release them from any debt they owe us and we bless them.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Scriptures for Loving Enemies
Matthew 5:43-45
You have heard that it was said, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, 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; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Luke 6:27-29
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you.
To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
2Thessalonians 3:13-15
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Luke 6:35-36
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Romans 12:19-21
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
Therefore “IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.