Enemies

Heavenly Father, pour out Your blessings on the people who insult, persecute, and falsely say all kinds of evil against me.  Saturate them with your goodness and kindness, merciful God, and cause Your face to shine upon them.
(Mt. 5:11, Ps. 67:11)

Lord, You’ve told me to love my neighbours as myself, even as You found it in Your heart to love me when I was Your enemy.  Show me how to love those who are against me, do good to them, and pray for them, even when they wrong me.  May I be as merciful and compassionate as You are, Lord.
(Lev. 19:18, Ro. 5:6,10, Mt. 5:44, Lk. 6:36)

Father, forgive me for my part in causing or contributing to conflicts that lead others to become my enemy.  Grant me Your grace, Lord, to honestly evaluate myself so I clearly see my own sins.  Cleanse me from all my offences against You.  Righteous Lord, help my enemies to forgive me for any wrongs I have committed against them.
(Jer. 17:9, Ps. 51:1-4)

I confess, Father, that I often judge or condemn my enemies even when I know I shouldn’t.  Remind me to first remove the plank from my own eye before I attempt to remove the speck from their eyes.  Instill in me, Lord, the desire to turn the other cheek, go the second mile, and do to others what I would like them to do to me.
(Lk. 6:37,42; Mt. 5:39,41; Lk. 6:31)

Lord Jesus, You were despised and rejected, oppressed and afflicted, yet You did not open Your mouth.  Help me to follow Your example.  Give me Your strength and love to get rid of all bitterness, rage, and every form of malice.  May I not say anything unwholesome, Lord, but instead help me to encourage and build up those around me.
(Isa. 53:3,7; 1 Jn. 2:6; Eph. 4:29,31)

O God, help me not to dwell on the pain caused by other people.  Sanctify my mind, Father, and enable me to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  May I meditate only on what is true, right, just, pure, lovely, and admirable.
(2 Cor. 10:5; Phil. 4:8)

Lord, I rejoice when I face trouble because of those who are against me.  Remind me that such suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.  Help me to be patient in affliction and not to repay evil for evil.
(Ro. 5:3-4, 12:17)

Send forth Your mercy and truth, O Lord, and show me and my enemies Your perfect ways.  Convict us of our sinfulness and reveal Your truth to us about what is right and wrong.  lead us to repentance by the riches of Your goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering.
(Ro. 2:14-15)

Glorious Father, give my enemies the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know You better.  Give them and me wisdom like Solomon’s and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.  Remind me that wisdom gives us patience and that it’s to our glory to overlook offences.
(Eph. 1:17; 1 K. 4:29; Prov. 19:11)

Thank You, Lord, that You don’t show favouritism to any person.  Thank You that You love all people everywhere so much that You gave Your only Son to give us eternal life.  Unless You draw them to Yourself, O Lord, our enemies cannot come close to You.  Pour ou Your compassion, goodness, and loving-kindness on them.
(Ro. 2:11; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 6:44; Ps. 86:15)

Thank You, Lord, that You bless all peacemakers.  Grant me a spirit of tranquillity and calmness when dealing with my enemies, because Your Word says those who sow peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  Give me the courage to take the first step, when possible, toward reconciling the broken relationship and settling matters quickly.
(Mt. 5:9; Jas. 3:18; Ro. 12:18; Mt. 5:24-25)

By Ruette Woods