![]() Michael Maharrey is communications director of the Tenth Amendment Center, managing editor of the SchiffGold blog, and founder of. Lord, give me this kind of grace and mercy. Then give us wisdom as we seek how to bless, to love, and to pray for our enemies.” We release any unforgiveness, thoughts of revenge, or hateful emotions that can quench Your Spirit in our hearts. Send Your love flowing through us, and forgive us for holding on to anything that could hinder our prayers. We ask first that You would saturate our lives with the Holy Spirit’s power and might. “Lord Jesus, following Your example and command, we pray for our enemies today. I ran across a powerful prayer for my enemies. This only happens through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. After all, Jesus told me to love my enemies. Perhaps intentionally playing for government officials will spark some level of love in my heart. Maybe I need to pray for these people as much to change me as to change them. As the Didache recalls Jesus’ teaching in concise form, it. As an elaboration, the text paraphrases bits from the Sermon on the Mount: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies (1:3). When we really dig down to the root of it, my reluctance to “pray for kings and those in authority” is about me. The beginning of the Didache presents the Christian way of life, repeating the two love commandments: love of God and love of neighbor. But I hate what they do, and I believe it is malevolent. In fact, I hate most politicians and government officials. I pray for friends and family members who aren’t believers - not only for their salvation but also for their well-being.Īnd I hated Donald Trump too. I pray for people who live lives opposed to the kingdom of God. Theologian David Lipscomb asked, “Can we pray for the rulers if these kingdoms are organized in opposition to the kingdom of God and by those in rebellion against God?”īut this really isn’t about the “why’s or what-fores.” It’s about me. I’m not the first Christian to feel uncomfortable about praying for kings. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44 In fact, I am convinced they destroy peace and are enemies of humanity. ![]() And I can make a strong case that they exercise illegitimate authority. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. 45 If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. Modern politicians aren’t literally kings. 43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies. As agents of the state, their moral authority is death. They don’t have any legitimate authority over my life. After all, these people preside over Babylon-like worldly kingdoms.
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