Praying for Our Enemies
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 22:36-40
43 You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what's so great about this? Don't even unbelievers do that? 48 But you must always act like your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:43-48
36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
Matthew 22:36-40
Memory Verse
Matthew 5:44
44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.
Have you ever been kind to someone but didn't get that kindness back? Maybe it happened at school when someone didn't pick you to be their partner or to be on their team at recess. Maybe a sibling said something that hurt you. Sometimes, even when we are kind, other people are not kind to us. How do you deal with people who mistreat you?Â
In Matthew 5, Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount. He wants his disciples to understand how to live as followers of him. He wants people to know how to treat one another and show love the way he loves. He even wants us to show love and kindness to those we think of as our enemies because God cares about and provides for everyone.
Later, Jesus shares with his disciples the two greatest commandments. The first is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The second is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Does Jesus only mean the people who live in the houses next to us? No, he means our actual neighbors and anyone we meet—even our enemies.Â
As Jesus’ followers, his teachings remind us that no matter how others behave, we are to behave differently. Like Christ, we should love and even pray for people who may not do the same for us. Don’t get me wrong. When someone hurts you, that’s not okay! Showing love might not be easy sometimes, but we choose to do things God’s way with his help. What opportunities do you have to love your neighbor?Â
Prayer
Dear Jesus, please help me love others how you love. When mistreated, show me how to forgive and pray for others. Help me to be an example of your love. Amen.Related Resources
Natasha Menifee
Natasha Menifee is an educator, writer and most importantly a child of God. She has taught in public schools for 12 years and holds two master's degrees from Georgetown College in Learning & Behavior Disorders and Teacher Leadership. Natasha also serves as the Christian Education Director at her church. She is the proud mother of two daughters. For more information about her, visit www.natashamenifee.com.