Praying for Enemies: What Scripture Says
What does the Bible say about praying for enemies? Explore imprecatory psalms, Jesus' command to love, and how to pray honestly.
Matthew 5:44Romans 12:14Romans 12:17-21Psalm 143:9-12Psalm 139:21-22Psalm 59:11Luke 23:341 Peter 3:9Matthew 6:14-15
The Bible speaks about praying for enemies in two ways that at first seem to clash. Jesus commands, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44, BSB). Yet the Psalms include prayers like Psalm 143:12: “And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant” (BSB). Both are Scripture. Both are given to God’s people. So how do we hold them together?
The short answer: Scripture calls us to pray for our enemies with a heart that seeks their good, while also bringing our honest pain and anger to God. The imprecatory psalms—prayers that ask God to judge enemies—are not a contradiction of Jesus’ command. They are raw, honest cries that leave vengeance with God. In Christ, we are freed to forgive and to bless, even as we trust God to deal with evil justly.
What does Jesus actually command about praying for enemies?
Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44 are direct: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This is not a suggestion. It is the way of the kingdom. He says this in the Sermon on the Mount, where He also teaches us not to resist an evil person and to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39).
The apostle Paul echoes this: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14, BSB). And Peter writes, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9, BSB).
So the New Testament is clear. Praying for enemies means asking God to bless them, to change their hearts, to bring them to repentance and faith. It means we do not seek revenge. We release our right to get even.
Why do the Psalms pray for enemies to be destroyed?
Many psalms ask God to defeat, shame, or destroy enemies. Psalm 139:21-22 says, “Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD, and detest those who rise against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them as my enemies” (BSB). Psalm 59:11 asks God to scatter them by His power and bring them down.
These prayers are called imprecatory psalms. They are not sins to be ignored; they are Scripture to be read. They show us that God’s people can bring their deepest anger and fear to Him. They also show that vengeance belongs to God, not to us. The psalmists do not take matters into their own hands. They ask God to act.
When we read these psalms, we see that God is big enough to handle our raw emotions. He invites us to pour out our hearts to Him, even when those hearts are full of pain and rage. But we do not stop there. In Christ, we are called to a higher way.
How do we pray for enemies when we have been deeply hurt?
Start by being honest with God. Tell Him what happened. Tell Him how you feel. The psalms give you words when you have none. You can pray Psalm 143:9: “Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge” (BSB). You can ask God to protect you and to stop the harm.
Then, ask God to change your heart. This is not easy. It may take time. But Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14, BSB). Forgiveness does not mean pretending the hurt did not happen. It means releasing the debt to God and asking Him to heal you.
Finally, pray for your enemy’s good. Ask God to bless them, to lead them to repentance, to save them if they do not know Christ. This is not natural; it is supernatural. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in you.
What about justice? Does praying for enemies mean ignoring wrong?
No. Praying for enemies does not mean we ignore justice or allow abuse to continue. Romans 12:17-21 tells us not to repay anyone evil for evil, to live at peace with everyone if possible, and to leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written that vengeance belongs to the Lord.
We can pray for justice. We can ask God to stop evil. We can seek help from authorities. But we do not take revenge ourselves. We trust God to judge rightly. And we remember that we too have been forgiven much.
How does the cross shape our prayers for enemies?
At the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34, BSB). He practiced what He preached. He prayed for His enemies while they were killing Him.
When we pray for our enemies, we are being shaped into His likeness. We are saying that we trust God to be the judge. We are choosing the way of love over the way of hatred. This does not happen overnight. It is a daily surrender.
If you are struggling to pray for someone who has hurt you, start small. Ask God to help you want to forgive. Ask Him to give you love for that person. And keep bringing your pain to Him. He is faithful.
What if I can’t pray for my enemy yet?
That is okay. God knows your heart. He is not surprised by your anger or your pain. Keep praying honestly. Keep reading the Psalms. Keep asking God to change your heart. He will meet you there.
Remember, prayer is not about pretending. It is about bringing your real self to a real God. He can handle your questions, your doubts, your rage. And He can slowly, gently, transform your heart to look more like Jesus.
If you are in danger or being abused, please seek help. Talk to a pastor or a trusted believer. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Anywhere else, visit findahelpline.com or call your local emergency number.
As you pray, let Scripture guide you. Let prayer be your honest conversation with God. And let your local church be a place where you find support and encouragement. You are not alone in this journey.
Common questions
Does the Bible say to pray for your enemies?
Yes. Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Paul and Peter also tell us to bless those who persecute us and not repay evil with evil (Romans 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9). This is a clear teaching of the New Testament.
Why do the Psalms ask God to destroy enemies?
The imprecatory psalms are honest prayers that ask God to judge evil. They show that God’s people can bring their pain and anger to Him, and they leave vengeance in God’s hands. They are not commands for us to take revenge, but they model raw honesty before God.
How can I forgive someone who hurt me deeply?
Forgiveness is a process that starts with honesty before God. Tell Him your pain, ask Him to change your heart, and choose to release the debt to Him. It may take time, and it does not mean ignoring justice or allowing abuse. God can help you forgive as you rely on Him.
Is it wrong to be angry at my enemies?
Anger itself is not sin, but how we handle it matters. Scripture says, ‘In your anger do not sin’ (Ephesians 4:26). Bring your anger to God. Ask Him to help you not retaliate. He can handle your emotions and lead you toward forgiveness.