Praying against my enemies?

Jesus told us we should pray for our enemies. We should wish good upon those who hate and persecute us.

 

This is a radical idea already. When Jesus gave us this teaching it was in the context of discerning the meaning of what it means to love our neighbor.

 

Jesus' audience at the time assumed that their neighbor only meant other believing Jews. They certainly wouldn't have included the Romans among their "neighbors."

 

It was easy to believe we should love our friends, but shouldn't we hate our enemies? That's what most people thought.

 

But Jesus says to love your enemies.

 

Then why do we have so many examples in Scripture of praying against one's enemies?

Most of these come from David in the Psalms.

 

These are known as the "imprecatory" Psalms.

 

• Psalm 3:7: "Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For you have struck all my enemies on the jaw; you have broken the teeth of the wicked."

• Psalm 10:15: "Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out."

• Psalm 17:13: "Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword."

• Psalm 139:21-22: "Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I have perfect hatred for them; I count them my enemies."

 

These are just a few examples. There are other times when David gets more direct, like literally asking God to destroy his enemies.

 

What are we to make of this? Well, there are a couple ways you could take it. First, you might say that these Psalms are more descriptive than prescriptive. These prayers emerge from David's anguish, but we shouldn't necessarily imitate them.

 

But I think there's something more going on here.

 

Look at what Paul says.

 

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19ff, ESV)

 

Notice, Paul doesn't say we should exact vengeance on others. But we should (following a quote from Deuteronomy 35) allow God to exact vengeance on our behalf. We don't get revenge. We are called to do good to our enemies. Even if it is like heaping "burning coals" on their heads (because it drives our enemies crazy when you treat them in a loving way).

 

Usually we should pray for our enemies.  

 

But sometimes we aren't ready for that. 

 

The pain is too great. The wounds are still festering. We just can't bring ourselves around to pray for them.

 

But we should still pray about our enemies. Even if that means praying against them. 

 

Because when we pray we turn everything over to God. When we pray against our enemies it's like letting go of our natural desire for revenge. It's about letting God exact vengeance on our behalf, according to His will... 

 

In time, we might find we can pray for those enemies. We might not see the vengeance that God exacts on them (if that's what God chooses to do) but praying against our enemies is a way of "letting go" and allowing God to take over our innate desire for revenge.

 

It's a good place to start. Even if it's not where we want to end. So if you're considering "getting back" on someone who has wronged you, and you can't quite bring yourself around to pray for them. Well, pray against them. And let God take over the vengeance game that's consuming your mind.

 

Don't let your resentment become chains. Don't allow people you consider your "enemies" to live rent free in your head. Give it over to God. Even if the only way you can do that is by giving Him your obsession with revenge.

 

Blessings,

Judah