TEXT
“Pray for them which despitefully use you”.
INTRODUCTION
We will have enemies as we take our stand for Jesus. How should we respond? We should pray for them. Pray for those who have a spite against you. Pray for those who harass you. To do this is not natural, it is supernatural. Only with God’s help can we do it.
1 Timothy 2:1 teaches us that even our enemies should be the subject of our praying - “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men”. Here are some examples of those in scripture who prayed for their enemies:
1. JESUS
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”.
2. STEPHEN
Acts 7:60 “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”.
3. MOSES
Numbers 12:13 “And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee”.
4. JOB
Job 42:10 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends”.
5. DAVID
Psalm 35:13 “As for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom”.
6. JEREMIAH
Jeremiah 18:20 “Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them”.
