Should Christians Pray for Their Enemies?

Published September 2, 2026

Should Christians pray for their enemies? Yes. Jesus directly commanded His followers to pray for those who mistreat and persecute them. This does not mean approving evil, pretending that harm is harmless, or refusing lawful protection. It means bringing enemies before God, seeking their salvation, asking for righteous change, and refusing to let hatred rule the heart.

Jesus Commands Prayer for Enemies

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “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). This command is one of the clearest marks of Christian love. It goes beyond treating friendly people well and reflects the mercy of the heavenly Father.

Luke records the same teaching: “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:28). Christians do not wait until an enemy becomes likable or apologizes. They pray because they belong to Christ and want their response to resemble His.

Jesus and Stephen Practiced What They Taught

Jesus prayed while His enemies crucified Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). His prayer did not declare crucifixion acceptable. It displayed mercy in the middle of terrible injustice.

Stephen followed Christ’s example when he was stoned. His final recorded words were, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). Stephen did not deny that his attackers were sinning. Nevertheless, he desired mercy for them rather than personal revenge. Saul, who consented to Stephen’s death, later became the apostle Paul. That transformation shows why no enemy should be considered beyond the reach of God’s grace.

What Should Christians Ask God to Do?

Prayer for an enemy should be honest and biblical. A believer may ask God to stop the person’s harmful actions, protect those in danger, expose deception, and establish justice. At the same time, the believer should pray that the enemy will repent and receive salvation through Jesus Christ.

Helpful requests include:

For a fuller explanation of praying for someone’s salvation, read How Should Christians Pray for Unbelievers?

Prayer Does Not Mean Approving Evil

Some people fear that praying for an enemy excuses the wrong. Scripture teaches the opposite. Love “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). A loving response can name evil accurately, seek accountability, and protect potential victims.

Christians may report crimes, cooperate with authorities, establish firm boundaries, or leave a dangerous situation. Romans 13:1–4 teaches that civil authorities have a God-given responsibility to punish wrongdoing. Seeking lawful protection is not the same as taking personal vengeance.

Likewise, forgiveness does not always restore trust immediately. Reconciliation normally requires truth, repentance, and changed conduct. A believer can pray for an enemy and surrender personal revenge to God while still exercising wisdom about future contact.

Leave Vengeance with God

Romans 12:19 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,” and then reminds believers that vengeance belongs to the Lord. The passage continues by telling Christians to feed a hungry enemy and give drink to a thirsty one. Finally, it commands, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

This does not promise that every conflict will end peacefully. Instead, it releases the Christian from becoming judge and executioner in a personal dispute. God sees every fact, knows every motive, and judges perfectly. Believers can ask for justice without nurturing a fantasy of revenge.

What About Prayers for Judgment?

The Bible contains prayers asking God to defeat wickedness and judge persistent evildoers. These passages show that it is right to desire justice, especially when innocent people are suffering. However, they do not authorize private hatred or cruelty.

A Christian may pray, “Lord, stop this evil, protect the innocent, expose the truth, and judge righteously.” Yet the same Christian can add, “Please bring this person to repentance and salvation.” God can restrain an enemy, change an enemy, or judge an enemy. The believer entrusts that decision to Him.

Prayer Changes the Person Who Prays

Praying for an enemy does not always change the enemy quickly, but it helps guard the Christian’s heart. Hebrews 12:15 warns about a root of bitterness that can cause trouble and defile many. Repeatedly bringing the situation to God helps replace obsessive anger with trust.

This process may take time. Deep wounds are not erased by one sentence of prayer. A believer may need mature pastoral support, wise counseling, and practical help. Still, prayer keeps the pain from becoming permission to sin. It reminds the injured person that identity and hope are found in Christ, not in the enemy’s approval or punishment.

A Simple Prayer for an Enemy

A Christian might pray: “Father, You know the wrong that has happened and the pain it has caused. Please stop the evil, protect those in danger, and bring the truth to light. Convict this person of sin and lead him or her to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Keep bitterness and revenge from controlling me. Give me wisdom, courage, and love, and accomplish Your righteous will in this situation. Amen.”

The wording can change according to the circumstances. The essential priorities are truth, protection, justice, mercy, repentance, and submission to God.

Conclusion

Should Christians pray for their enemies? Yes. Jesus commands it, and both Jesus and Stephen modeled it. Christians should ask God to save their enemies, stop their wrongdoing, protect the innocent, establish justice, and guard their own hearts. Such prayer does not minimize evil. It refuses personal revenge and places the entire matter in the hands of the righteous Judge.

The mercy Christians extend is rooted in the mercy God offers sinners through Christ. To understand that message, read How to Be Saved.