August 16: Pray for Your Enemies
There’s someone you still resent. Even thinking their name raises your blood pressure. And Jesus wants you to pray for them?
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Jesus says it plainly. You’ve heard love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. That way you’ll be children of your Father in heaven, who makes the sun rise on the evil and the good.
It’s one of the hardest things Jesus ever asked. And it’s one of the most practical tools in recovery. People who work the steps have long found that praying for someone they resent is one of the surest ways to get free of that resentment.
Here’s how it often goes. You start praying for them through clenched teeth. You don’t mean it. You’re doing it because someone told you to. Keep going. Pray that they’d have the same good things you want: health, peace, a good life. Do it every day. Maybe for two weeks.
Something usually shifts. Not always in them. In you. You start seeing them as a person, not just as the one who hurt you. You remember they have their own struggles. The anger cools. Sometimes, to your surprise, you start wanting good things for them.
This matters a lot in Step Eight. Many names on your list are tied to resentment. As long as you’re boiling about someone, it’s hard to become willing to make amends to them. Prayer softens the ground.
Notice why Jesus says to do it. Because that’s what God is like. He sends sun and rain on everyone. He loved you while you were still far from Him. When you pray for your enemies, you’re acting like your Father.
One thing today
Pick the person you resent most. Pray for them by name every morning for the next two weeks. Ask God to give them what you’d want for yourself.
A prayer
Father, You give sun and rain to everyone. I don’t feel like praying for this person, but I will. Bless them. Give them peace. And change my heart while I pray. Amen.
Praying for the people who hurt you is often the doorway into Step Eight.
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