Prayer library
A Prayer for an Enemy (someone who hurt you)
Jesus told us to pray for those who hurt us. It is one of the hardest things He asks, and one of the most freeing. This prayer is for the grace to obey.
Lord, You know how this person has hurt me.
I don't feel like praying for them, but You asked me to, so I will.
Bless them, and do a work in their heart, and in mine.
Free me from bitterness; I lay down the right to revenge.
Heal what was broken, in me and between us. Amen.
“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”
Matthew 5:44
You don’t have to pray alone
On The Living Bread you can ask the family of God to pray for you and watch prayers be answered, or pray for someone else who needs it today. It is free, and you are welcome exactly as you are.
This prayer at a glance
| Prayer for | An Enemy |
|---|---|
| Lines to pray | 5 |
| Anchored in | Matthew 5:44 |
| Time to pray it | about a minute, slowly |
| Related prayers | 3 |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Romans 12:14
- 1 Peter 3:9
- Luke 6:27-28
- Romans 12:20-21
- Proverbs 25:21-22
- Luke 23:34
- 1 Peter 2:23
- Acts 7:60
- Luke 6:34-35
- 1 Corinthians 4:12-13
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
What Scripture is a prayer for an enemy (someone who hurt you) built on?
It rests on Matthew 5:44. The prayer above is written in plain words around that passage, and the verse is quoted from the stored text, not from memory.
What if I have no words to pray for an enemy (someone who hurt you)?
Start with the first line of the prayer above and stop there if that is all you can say. God hears the first honest sentence. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray with you and for you.
Can I pray this for someone else?
Yes. Change the first person to their name and pray the same lines for them. Praying for others is part of loving one another, and you can ask the family of God to join you.
Pray this
Jesus, our Shepherd, nothing about An Enemy is hidden from you. We bring you enemy, forgiveness, peace. Make us people who love one another there. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Pray the lines above once today, out loud if you can, and read Matthew 5:44 in your own Bible.
- Tell one trusted person that you are praying about enemy, and ask them to pray with you.
- Write down one thing you notice this week, so that you can thank God by name when it comes.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
