Enrichment Activities for Weave Your Word in Me

Pray For Those Who Persecute You —

Are we to pray for REAL enemies — like those who are trying to kill us?

Are we really supposed to pray for people who are terrorists?

Let’s take a second look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:43-45.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good.” (NIV)

There seems to be no wiggle room.

Jesus indeed taught that since God extends goodness to all people including those who do evil, he expects us to do the same; and one way is through prayer. So how do we pray for terrorists?

How to Pray for Terrorists

The Christian website “Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer” (atfp.org) has some helpful ideas on how to pray for terrorists. Below is a list of some of their suggestions. Why not use one of these in your prayers today?

1 — “Father, lead _________ to repent for rejecting Jesus and declaring war on your children.”

2 — “Jesus, reveal yourself in dreams and visions to __________. May he not sleep in peace until he surrenders to you.”

3 — “May your Holy Spirit relentlessly pursue _________ to the depths of his hideout, that he may not escape your grace.”

4 — “Jesus, may news of your free gift of eternal salvation reach the opened ears of _________.”