When The Lord Jesus says “Pray for enemies” what specifially should we pray ?

[Mountainmanbob]

I am glad Jesus didn't think that way.
We were His enemies, He demonstrated His love for us, and now He calls us friends.

The sheep hear His voice and they are not the enemy.
M-Bob

 

[Neogaia777]

Should we pray that The Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and bring them to repentance ?

What prayers should we specifially pray for them ?

Thanks ahead of time for your answers.

That they repent and be converted from the heart and love as God loves and has loved us... Which is how I define repentance... Spiritual and human enemies... (Though we should have no human enemies) (not as "true Christians") (but that's another subject and topic for another time)...

God Bless!

 

[sunlover1]

I often pray for the Lord to have mercy on them, and to do for them whatever He in His wisdom knows to be best for them.

My ideas of what they need when might be wrong, but God never is.

I do often especially pray for their salvation, but it's usually best to keep my assumptions about them otherwise out of the way.

As a very immature Christian I used to pray for how I thought people ought to change. I have learned it's better to pray for ME to change, and leave them to God, only wishing the best for them.

i used to do that too.
we learn over time lol

 

[GraceBro]

Should we pray that The Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and bring them to repentance ?

What prayers should we specifially pray for them ?

Thanks ahead of time for your answers.

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:44-45.

You pray for their salvation so that both you and your enemy "may be children of your Father in heaven."

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

What if they are illegally Torturing you and praying curses on you in groups?

What should you specifially pray for them then?

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

Also, what if these people have already committed blasphemy against The Holy Spirit and even God Himself isn’t going to forgive them. What should I pray for them then?

 

[discipler7]

When The Lord Jesus says “Pray for enemies” what specifially should we pray ?

ROMANS.12: = 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ...

17 Repay no one evil for evil. ...

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 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.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

MATTHEW.5: = 44 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, 45 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.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _

We should pray that our powerful persecutors are fed and drunk while we may go without.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

We should pray that our powerful persecutors are fed and drunk while we may go without.

Anything else we should pray?

 

[sunlover1]

It's a fair question to ask.

I'm not speaking as any expert here, but usually the learning that everything that comes is for our good and truly thanking God for it all - comes along with lessons in humility and at least some tools that help protect against being tempted to think well of one's self.

Anything is possible. But probably not very likely. And in the case of an Abbess, a lesson she would have learned long ago. Her writings are like spiritual manna.

Frankly I felt convicted by the story. I was hoping to be helpful, but I see undercurrents in my post - not to mention the fact that I was quick to reply without considering the fact that I was lumping people into an "enemy" category. The truth is, they just treated me badly at times, as happens to all of us.

We do indeed have real enemies of the faith, people who hate us because we belong to Him, people who are of their father, the devil.

 

[~Anastasia~]

What if they are illegally Torturing you and praying curses on you in groups?

What should you specifially pray for them then?

Also, what if these people have already committed blasphemy against The Holy Spirit and even God Himself isn’t going to forgive them. What should I pray for them then?

I would still pray for God to have mercy on them. Mercy doesn't necessarily mean "save and forgive". It is up to God.

There is nothing that says we must allow ourselves to be tortured by anyone. If you aren't physically chained to a wall - you have every right to protect yourself by being away from them. Don't worry about their curses. No one can curse you with their words above God's ability to protect you.

As far as what sins they have committed and their eternal destiny, we really can't know if someone is beyond salvation. The general consensus is that "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" involves a heart that is irrevocably hardened against God. That's why they can't be forgiven - because they wouldn't accept it. Ever. Not because God is so offended at something they spoke such that He refuses to ever forgive them. But be careful because another point is that it is not our place to judge anyone as condemned. That is the kind of judging Scripture tells us not to do.

So in essence the answer is still the same, regardless of what they've done to you. Pray for them. Do not return evil for evil. But also there is no need to allow yourself to be continually mistreated, if there is a way to escape.

God be with you.

 

[Ken Rank]

Should we pray that The Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and bring them to repentance ?

What prayers should we specifially pray for them ?

Thanks ahead of time for your answers.

Some have mentioned that they repent. I don't think that is it and it also assumes they are at fault. We might very well be the reason that we're enemies. I think it is prayer centered around reconciliation. Remember this...

Matthew 5:23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you (24) leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Notice how in verse 23 it is the brother has the issue with YOU... and it is YOU that is expected to lay down the gift and go reconcile. What a call for humility.... and that is the spirit here I believe. Pray that we can reconcile and not be enemies.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Mercy doesn't necessarily mean "save and forgive".








It is up to God.

There is nothing that says we must allow ourselves to be tortured by anyone. If you aren't physically chained to a wall - you have every right to protect yourself by being away from them. Don't worry about their curses. No one can curse you with their words above God's ability to protect you.

As far as what sins they have committed and their eternal destiny, we really can't know if someone is beyond salvation. The general consensus is that "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" involves a heart that is irrevocably hardened against God. That's why they can't be forgiven - because they wouldn't accept it. Ever. Not because God is so offended at something they spoke such that He refuses to ever forgive them. But be careful because another point is that it is not our place to judge anyone as condemned. That is the kind of judging Scripture tells us not to do.

So in essence the answer is still the same, regardless of what they've done to you. Pray for them. Do not return evil for evil. But also there is no need to allow yourself to be continually mistreated, if there is a way to escape.

God be with you.

Well without that, there ain't much.

In the Bible where we hear, have mercy on me a sinner, I would think this is said by one being called?

M-Bob

 

[~Anastasia~]

We do indeed have real enemies of the faith, people who hate us because we belong to Him, people who are of their father, the devil.

That's true.

But when I answered the question, I was thinking generally of my own personal interactions. Some of them were indeed very evil actions, and some people have hated me. But I don't judge any of them to be purely and irrevocably of Satan.

Until a person dies, there is always hope.

Anyway, like I said, I was just answering from my own perspective, if I understand what you're saying. And to easily agree within myself without adding anything to qualify my words, that any and all of these people were simply my "enemy" ... well, that was convicting to me. I don't think of any of them in a permanently harsh state, if that makes sense?

 

[~Anastasia~]

Well without that, there ain't much.

In the Bible where we hear, have mercy on me a sinner, I would think this is said by one being called?

M-Bob

Consider the rich man in Jesus' story - the one who was in hell/Hades and asked Abraham if he might have just a drop of water, or for his brothers to be warned?

We don't know. Maybe "mercy" amounts to a slight lessening of their torment eventually. Or a temporary mercy in this life. Or a blessing for one that they love.

That's why asking for God's mercy is always appropriate. God knows what He can do for anyone (and always wants to do good - He IS agape-love and His desire is for mercy). So such a prayer is always according to His will. We just aren't dictating how we want Him to apply it.

 

[sunlover1]

That's true.

But when I answered the question, I was thinking generally of my own personal interactions. Some of them were indeed very evil actions, and some people have hated me. But I don't judge any of them to be purely and irrevocably of Satan.

Until a person dies, there is always hope.

Anyway, like I said, I was just answering from my own perspective, if I understand what you're saying. And to easily agree within myself without adding anything to qualify my words, that any and all of these people were simply my "enemy" ... well, that was convicting to me. I don't think of any of them in a permanently harsh state, if that makes sense?

When I pray for my enemies, I do it in a general sense... because i can't see anyone's heart.
God alone knows my enemies and how to best deal with them.
That's why if I THINK someone is an enemy perhaps.. I pray, Lord you judge between us and let your will be done.
We should ALWAYS ask for His mercy on them though. Jesus did it so we do. We pray that God will forgive them for they TRULY know not what they do.
No one in their right mind would harm the apple of God's eye!
I think we're on that same page.

 

[~Anastasia~]

When I pray for my enemies, I do it in a general sense... because i can't see anyone's heart.
God alone knows my enemies and how to best deal with them.
That's why if I THINK someone is an enemy perhaps.. I pray, Lord you judge between us and let your will be done.
We should ALWAYS ask for His mercy on them though. Jesus did it so we do. We pray that God will forgive them for they TRULY know not what they do.
No one in their right mind would harm the apple of God's eye!
I think we're on that same page.

I do think we generally agree.

I guess I'm not sure what you mean by asking God to judge - what outcome you are asking for, etc? So I'm not sure how I would respond to that part?

But otherwise yes, i think I would agree, if I'm understanding you.

 

[RaymondG]

What if they are illegally Torturing you and praying curses on you in groups?

What should you specifially pray for them then?

Pray that they live and prosper, even as their soul prospers....And that they receive the desires of their heart.

 

[sunlover1]

I do think we generally agree.

I guess I'm not sure what you mean by asking God to judge - what outcome you are asking for, etc? So I'm not sure how I would respond to that part?

But otherwise yes, i think I would agree, if I'm understanding you.

Asking for HIS WILL outcome lol.
God has a plan for me and for all.
Jesus said to pray, "Thy will be done"
I saw this in Scripture and it's what I pray
when I am unsure.
I may THINK that it's me who's being wronged
yet it may be that I can't "See" right and am
actually the one who needs correction, mercy etc.

1See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. 12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never beagainst you. 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.…

 

[sunlover1]

What if they are illegally Torturing you and praying curses on you in groups?

What should you specifially pray for them then?

Psalm 109, Psalm 35, etc,
examples of how David prayed when he was in such straits.
fight!
THIS is spiritual warfare!
fight and stand

 

[~Anastasia~]

Asking for HIS WILL outcome lol.
God has a plan for me and for all.
Jesus said to pray, "Thy will be done"
I saw this in Scripture and it's what I pray
when I am unsure.
I may THINK that it's me who's being wronged
yet it may be that I can't "See" right and am
actually the one who needs correction, mercy etc.

1See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. 12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never beagainst you. 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.…

Ah ok then I see what you mean. That's actually what I said somewhere up there (I hope I did at least) - that I might be the one who needs to change (or be corrected).

So yes, we agree there too.