Why I Pray for My Enemies
By Rollin Grams, Bible and Mission.
Introduction
The world is a hateful place. Who can deny it? As Paul says,
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another (Titus 3.3, ESV).
Quite possibly, this is what Paul meant in Ephesians 2.3 when he described the pre-Christian life as a time when we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[1]
In Titus, Paul contrasts our hatred of others to the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Saviour (Titus 3.4), and in Ephesians our wrath as sons of disobedience following the prince of the power of the air with God’s mercy and love (Ephesians 2.4). To pray for our enemies is to move from malice, envy, hatred, and wrath to God’s goodness, lovingkindness, mercy, and love.
A Complete Ethic
Jesus prayed from the cross for His enemies: ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23.34). This was a culmination of ministry of God’s forgiveness and mercy. He also told His followers to pray for their enemies. He said,
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5.43-48).
Jesus provides us with several reasons to pray for our enemies. They produce a ‘complete’ ethic in regard to the ‘other’. A complete ethic will address issues that cover what a (1) character (2) does (3) toward certain goals (consequences). A person’s character is defined by his virtues and vices. A person’s moral actions are either good or bad. A person’s goals are either right or wrong, and actions have consequences (rewards and punishments).
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