Love Your Enemies

Reading Time: 5 Minutes

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, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matthew 5:43-47 NIV

Jesus tells us that a true child of God will pray for their enemies because they love them. We are born of the Spirit (John 3:3) to love like our Father. He loved us while we were still rebellious sinners.

Our Father Loves Every Person

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8 NLT

To not love our enemies would expose a religious heart– that we think we deserve Jesus’ atonement on the cross but “those more sinful” don’t. Adam and Eve’s disobedience caused all mankind to inherit the curse of death. We have all disobeyed God and we all need the sinless blood-atonement of Jesus Christ that can reconcile us to God. It is our faith in Jesus, the Son of God, that saves us from the curse of death, not our own “goodness.” (John 3:16-17) We do good because Jesus has brought us out of darkness into His light! Hallelujah!

Saul Became Paul

Saul, later known as the apostle Paul, watched Stephen being stoned to death. He probably ordered Stephen’s death. As he was being killed, Stephen prayed that God forgive Saul and everyone responsible for his death. He prayed for his persecutors, not because he had to, but because he loved them. Perhaps Stephen and many other Christians had already been praying for Saul. By forgiving Saul and praying for him, I believe Stephen won some spiritual battles that opened doors for Saul’s salvation. (Acts 7:54-8:2)

Saul continued to persecute the church until Jesus Himself appeared to Saul in a blinding light. To make a long incredible story short, he repented and gave his life to Jesus. Saul’s name was changed to Paul and he became one of the most amazing, loving and powerful ministers of the Gospel. Paul was persecuted his entire life and died a martyr. He loved people well!

Pray for Those Who Persecute You

We must pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ that are now being persecuted for loving Jesus. But as Jesus commanded, we must also pray for those that persecute them. We can pray for Jesus to appear to them as He did for Saul. There are many recent testimonies of Jesus appearing to Christian-haters in dreams, visions and personal encounters. I believe these encounters are happening because believers loved them enough to pray for them. God’s grace flows freely when we pray with genuine hearts of love.

Can you imagine what would happen if not hundreds, but thousands of persecutors had a miraculous encounter with Jesus? Put this into perspective daily as you observe current events unfold. What could change if we pray? So as we pray for our own nation and for the persecuted Body of Christ around the world, let us also pray for our persecutors. God loves them so much and wants them to come to Jesus!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You give rain and sunshine to the evil person and the good because You love everyone You created. You do not wish for anyone to remain under the curse of sin. Help us to yield to Your love and to obey you in heartfelt prayer.

Lord, we pray for those enduring persecution all over the world. Provide for every need. Give them opportunity to meet with other believers for worship, prayer and fellowship. Provide Bibles for them and keep their oppressors from seeing them. Extend Your hand through them in great power to do miracles as they share the Gospel. Help them to safely get where they need to go and do what they need to do. Protect them and their children. Encourage them and fill them with joy.

Now, we pray for those that persecute our Brothers and Sisters. Have mercy on them Jesus. We pray You will appear to them in some way so they will have an opportunity to repent and receive Your extravagant love and grace! Our desire is for them to be saved and to follow You for the rest of their lives. Give them dreams and visions they cannot forget and help them as they seek to know who You are.

Lord, show us the urgency of the times and Your immense love for all mankind. Guide those in government and give them the courage to do Your will despite opposition. May Heaven come to earth through Your children, by the power of the Wonderful Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord! In the Mighty Name of Jesus we pray and proclaim these things for the glory of God. Amen!

Prayer Warriors: Please Help Me Pray for My Viewers and Their Nations

Help me pray for the people that read my posts. The following are the number of “views” per nation in the last 2 months– April and May of 2026. (Different pages and posts are viewed daily.) These “views” represent precious people around the world. Thank you for joining with me to touch their lives through Spirit led prayer. I am praying for you and your nation! I love you in Jesus Christ!

USA – 998

Hong Kong SAR China – 179

Singapore – 136

Belgium – 65

China – 16

Vietnam – 8

Netherlands – 9

Spain – 4

United Kingdom – 6

Australia – 3

Türkiye – 5

Latvia – 3