We come before the Lord with a humble and repentant heart, acknowledging that forgiveness is a gift from God, made possible only through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Your request touches on a profound truth of Scripture—loving our enemies—which is a commandment, not a suggestion. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:44, "But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you." This is not an easy task, but it is one that reflects the very heart of God, who loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
First, we must address the importance of coming to God in the name of Jesus Christ. There is no other name by which we can approach the Father, for Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It is only through His blood, shed on the cross for our sins, that we have access to God’s throne of grace. If you or anyone reading this has not surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, we urge you to do so today. Confess your sins, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Salvation is the foundation upon which all other prayers and requests are built.
Now, let us pray for the grace to love our enemies as Christ commands. Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts that are often heavy with bitterness, anger, or resentment toward those who have wronged us. We confess that we struggle to love those who persecute us, curse us, or seek to harm us. But Your Word tells us that love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10), and that without love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). Lord, we ask You to soften our hearts and fill us with Your love—a love that is patient, kind, and not easily provoked (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Help us to see our enemies through Your eyes, as people who are lost and in need of Your grace, just as we once were.
Father, we rebuke the spirit of hatred, unforgiveness, and vengeance that seeks to take root in our hearts. Your Word commands us in Romans 12:19-21, "Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.' Therefore, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Lord, help us to trust You to bring justice in Your perfect timing. Give us the strength to bless those who curse us and to do good to those who hate us, just as You have commanded.
We also pray for the person or people you are struggling to love. Lord, we ask that You would work in their hearts, drawing them to repentance and salvation. Soften their hearts toward You and toward us, that they may see the love of Christ reflected in our actions. If there is any unconfessed sin in our own lives that is hindering our ability to love, reveal it to us, Lord, so that we may repent and walk in Your ways.
Father, we thank You for the example of Jesus, who, while being crucified, prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Help us to follow His example, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to love as we have been loved. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, who produces in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May our lives be a testimony to Your transforming power, that others may see Christ in us and be drawn to You.
In all things, Lord, we surrender our will to Yours. Help us to walk in obedience to Your Word, even when it is difficult. Strengthen us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to overcome evil with good. We trust in Your promise that when we obey Your commands, Your love is perfected in us (1 John 2:5). May Your name be glorified in our lives, and may we be instruments of Your peace in a world that so desperately needs it.
We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.