21 Days of Prayer - Day 10: Cry out to the One who said, “Love your enemies.”

Mar 25

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Opening Prayer

The Dark Guest (from The Valley of Vision prayer book)

Matthew 5:43-46

“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?”

Notice

This is King Jesus teaching at his radical best. Most people love their friends and hate their enemies. Jesus says, “Love your enemies. Pray for them.” Have you prayed for your enemies today? Why pray for them? Because, as verse 45 makes clear, God is able to save them. They may well become children of God. You might stand side-by-side with them at the Father’s throne in his kingdom someday. Pray toward that end. Jesus says love them with a love that stands out from the crowd; love them with the love of King Jesus.

Think about it

Persecution is a daily reality for Christians all over the world. Harsh treatment of believers is neither “back then” or “soon” — it is now in Asia, the Middle East, parts of Africa and, yes, it might even be a reality for you in your workplace, neighborhood or extended family. Can you imagine praying for your persecutors from your prison cell? The Apostle Paul did just that. And Jesus prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them….”

A prayer for our enemies in the name of our King

“Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, I am amazed King Jesus calls me to pray for my enemies. What radical love that is. Teach me that kind of love; teach me the love Jesus displayed from the cross. I pray today for those who are persecuting believers around the world. Give the Christians divine endurance and eternal hope and move mightily to save those who are hateful. I pray for those who are making my life difficult; save them, O God. Help me love them. You showed me such grand love, Father. Now let me show that love to those who need you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray the Psalms

Psalm 31:1-5: Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit

Group Prayer