Introduction:

We are called to humble ourselves and love our neighbors as ourselves.

“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)

 “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

Jesus calls us to go beyond loving our neighbors and love our enemies. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,

and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:43-44

This calling goes completely against our self-centered earthly nature which drives us to defend ourselves and seek vengeance when someone is working against us or harming us somehow. In order to embrace and execute this calling we must see things from a different perspective.

1) Our “enemy”: The person causing distress to us, is actually one of God’s precious children lost in this fallen world. God loves this person, has great plans for this person, and wants them to find their way out of the mess they are in. 

2) Our “self”: Jesus showed us how to humble ourselves, suffer, and sacrifice His earthly life in service of a higher purpose. We are to follow His model, deny ourselves, pick up our cross and suffer or sacrifice as needed in our earthly life in service to Him and His agenda.

3) Our Earthly Life and Things: Our lives are not our own, we have been purchased by Jesus finished work on the cross. Our life is a gift from Him. All of our assets came from Him. We are to submit our lives to Him as lord, and apply the assets we are custodians of to the program as He leads us.. If we need to absorb the burden of someone causing us harm, we will have fellowship with Jesus and He will pay us back in heaven.  

4) Judgement: God is a just Judge and will hold each of us accountable for our thoughts, words and actions in this life. We are not to assume the role of judge and jury and hold others accountable ourselves.

One thing we can always do is pray to intercede for someone who is struggling. The following is an example prayer you can work with to help someone in need   For a more complete discussion on this topic, see this blog post.

Prayer for a Lost Soul Who Has Harmed You

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart seeking Your grace and mercy, both for myself and for those who have harmed me.

You teach us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, that we may reflect Your perfect love. (Matthew 5:44-45)

Lord, I lift-up [Name] to You.  Though they have acted against me, I know You desire for all to come to repentance and to know the truth of Your love. (1 Timothy 2:4)

• • I ask You to soften their heart, open their eyes to Your light, and draw them into a saving relationship with You through Jesus Christ. (John 6:44)
  • Forgive them, Lord, for they likely do not fully understand the impact of their actions. (Luke 23:34).
  • Pour out Your Spirit upon them, bringing conviction where it is needed and comfort where there is pain.
  • Replace any anger, bitterness, or hatred with the peace and joy that comes from knowing You. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • Bless them abundantly, Father, not as a reward for their deeds, but as an outpouring of Your unmerited favor and love. May Your kindness lead them to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
  • Surround them with people who will speak truth into their life and guide them toward righteousness.
  • Let them encounter the transformative power of the cross and be born again as a new creation in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Lord, guard my heart from bitterness or resentment. (Hebrews 12:15)

• • Help me to trust in Your justice and to walk in forgiveness, knowing vengeance belongs to You. (Romans 12:19-21)
  • Fill me with Your love so that I may reflect Your character, even in difficult situations. (Ephesians 3:18, 5:2)

I believe Your plans for [Name] are for their good, to give them a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Thank You, Father, for hearing my prayer. I trust in Your perfect will and timing, knowing that nothing is impossible for You. (Luke 1:37)

I leave this situation and [Name] in Your hands, confident in Your love and grace. Help me know when and how I can be of further service to you..

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.