Enrichment Activities for Weave Your Word in Me

Love Your Enemies By Praying for Them —

Are we to pray for REAL enemies — like those who hate Christians?

Are we really supposed to pray for people who are terrorists and want to kill people they don’t agree with?

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 these people?

How to Pray for People Who Don’t Believe in Jesus

Below is a list of suggested prayers for people who don’t follow Jesus. Why not use one of these in your prayers today?

1 — “Father, please lead people to repent who reject Jesus and hate your people. Create a desire in their hearts to love like you love.” 

2 — “Jesus, may the good news of your free gift of eternal salvation reach the ears of those who have never heard about you.”

3 — “Holy Spirit, please use dreams and visions to reveal Jesus to people who have been deceived by false religions.”