Praying For The ENEMY
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
4th August 2026 l Ava J Dearden
Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
If you are a Christian
God commands that we pray, not only pray but we are to bless our enemies, even in the midst of persecution. Not always easy, but it helps if we draw on the reality that our true enemy is the devil and his demons. There is an ongoing spiritual battle being fought around us that we are all a part of whether we are consciously aware of it or not. Satan uses us against each other to create tensions, arguments, family breakdowns... wars. He is the ruler of this world.
2 Corinthians 4:4 - “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”.
Why must we pray for the enemy?
Praying for the enemy changes a Christian's heart
It protects us from a hard heart, anger, unforgiveness and bitterness. It takes us to a new level of faith and obedience that The Lord will surely bless. It helps us to see the enemy as a human being, who is possibly hurting and who is wrongly, but naturally projecting their pain onto others.
Matthew 5:9 - God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Praying can change the enemy's heart
Prayer opens doors to God's miracles and His supernatural power to change us, even the hardest, most damaged of hearts. If the enemy is demonically oppressed or possessed, their behaviors are actually out of their own control. Praying to soften the enemy's heart can help lead them to repentance, deliverance from demonic possession and God's saving salvation.
Romans 12:20 - “On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head”.
If you are someone's enemy - a plea to repentPlease, think about who you are really hurting In the end, the Christian you persecute gets to go home, an eternity in Heaven, with God and our saved loved ones where there will be no more pain or tears. This same gift is available to you too, and that's my prayer for you because that's what Jesus wants for you. He wants to save you and free you from the pain and burdens you carry. You are hurting yourself Your flesh may feel temporarily appeased, taking out your hurt, anger and frustrations on someone who doesn't fight back, God will avenge. But ultimaltely you will be consumed by the person you are allowing yourself to become, the devil wins, don't let him. I speak from my heart and personal experience. We can become angrier and more bitter, fighting the imaginary battle that the devil has built in our minds. Other people may start to avoid us, they may even begin to dislike the person we are manifesting, not wanting to be around us because of the way we are treating our fellow man and the negativity we exude. The demons whisper and promise a peace that comes from victory, "if we win this imaginary battle", but the peace never comes... only more anger, more hatred for people and deeper isolation away from reality as the innocents you persecute renew their spirits day by day. You don't have to do the devils bidding, you can overcome this We are all victims in some way. We all hurt each other, knowingly or unknowingly. It's a fallen, sinful world full of pain and injustice. But God isn't like us, He never lets us down. He never throws the love we give to Him back in our face. Turn your heart, take a small step of faith towards God and He will meet you right where you are. He can deliver you from your pain. You can feel love again Don't let the devil win... I want to hug you in Heaven, I don't want you to go to hell. Please, I implore you, consider your ways for your own sake, for your eternity. If you don't change and repent, you will be judged for every wicked thing you do and say, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. |
The Devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.
John 8:44 - for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
No one has a past too terrible, or too sinful. God will never turn anyone away. People can be so broken that they have unwittingly become the enemy due to painful, unresolved issues.
It doesn't matter how we 'feel'. God promises to save all who repent, believe and call on His name. We do not have the compassion of Jesus, but it's still possible to love and pray for our enemy
Praying for the enemy... not so easy to do in practice
God knows how difficult it can be to pray for people who intentionally try to hurt us. But as Christians, if we turn our hearts, step out in faith, pray and believe that He will change our hearts, thoughts and feelings towards the enemy when we ask Him for help, in His perfect timing, He will deliver us from the chains of whatever hinders us in our journey to freedom, and true Christianity.
Some people won't change
No matter how much we pray, people are gifted with free will. We all have the chance to decide between right or wrong, good or evil many times in our lives. There are people who choose to take the path of unrightousness, to remain our enemy; ultimately an enemy of God. But that doesn't negate our responsibility, or God's command to show love and pray for them.
Luke 6:32-36 - “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
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