This document discusses perspectives on prayer, particularly regarding perceived enemies. It argues that the only prayer Christians should pray for unbelievers, even if perceived as enemies, is for their salvation. Negative prayers for enemies risk being answered by the real enemy, Satan, rather than God. The document also discusses how believers should view and respond to the actions of perceived enemies based on scripture. Christians are instructed to act in love towards all and allow God to enact vengeance as he sees fit, while resisting the real enemy, Satan.

1. A PERSPECTIVE TO PRAYER FOR CONSIDERATION
Prayer? But why pray? Well, the bible instructs us to pray without ceasing (1st
Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Okay…Further,everyChristianisengagedinwarfare (Ephesians6:12–For we donotwrestle againstflesh
andblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,againstthe rulersof the darknessof thisage,against
spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places).And our offensive weapon for warfare is the sword
of the spirit(the wordof God) whichwe use throughprayer(Ephesians6:17-18 – Andtake the helmetof
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the
saints).Inaddition,throughprayer,wecommunicate withourHeavenlyFatherwhoprovidesthe answer
to our prayers (Mathew7:7-11- Ask,and it will be giventoyou; seek,andyouwill find;knock,andit will
be openedtoyou.For everyonewhoasksreceives,andhe whoseeksfinds,andtohimwhoknocksitwill
be opened.Orwhatman isthere amongyou who,if hissonasks forbread,will give himastone?Orif he
asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who asks Him!)
Nowwe knowwhywe shouldprayand whowe expecttoanswerour prayerslet’snow take alookat the
preconditionsforourprayerstobe acceptable andansweredbyGod.Firstandforemostourprayershave
to be in line with the will of God which is the Word of God (James 4:3 – You ask and do not receive,
because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures). Shouldhave the requiredmeasure of
faith(Mathew 8:26 – ButHe saidto them, “Whyare youfearful,Oyouof little faith?”ThenHe arose and
rebukedthe windsandthe sea.And there wasa great calm.) Andwe know that faith comethby hearing
and hearingbythe wordof God (Rom 10:17). It alsohas to be motivatedbylove (1st
Corinthians 13:1-8).
Whatever we do outside of love cannot be the will of God for us for God is love (1st
John 4:8).
Nowan importantandreoccurring theme inour prayerclosetas Christiansis“the enemy”.While Iagree
that we do sometimes have human beings who are our “enemies” the real enemy is Satan (Ephesians
6:12). Understanding this should help change our perspective and approach to praying for our “human
enemies”. First let’s get an understanding of God’s perspective on human beings who are His enemies.
Romans 5:8-11 providessome insight – But God demonstratesHisown love towardus, in that while we
were still sinners,Christdiedforus.Muchmore then,havingnow beenjustifiedbyHisblood,we shallbe
saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the
deathof HisSon,much more,havingbeenreconciled,we shall be savedbyHislife. Andnotonlythat,but
we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the
reconciliation.Insummary,any humanwho isyet to accept His preciousgiftof salvationmade available
to the whole of mankindbythe sheddingof the bloodof HisSon Jesuson the cross of Calvaryis a sinner
andan enemyof God.However,throughthe scriptureswe seeclearlyGod’slovetosuchhumans.Itisnot
His desire thatanyshouldperishbutall shouldcome torepentance (John3:16-17, 2nd
Peter3:9 amongst
others). We also see our Lord’s instructionconcerning our “enemies” in (Mathew 5:44-45 – 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 spitefullyuse you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes
Hissun rise onthe evil andonthe good,andsendsrainonthe justand the unjust). See alsoLuke 9:51-56.
Further Proverbs 24:17-18 says do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad
when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.

2. Given these perspectives, I am convinced that the only prayer a Christian should pray for an unbeliever
even if perceived as an “enemy” is the prayer for the salvation of his soul and prayers that will aid the
accomplishmentof thisgoal.Anyotherprayerespeciallythose inthe negative inmyview isnota prayer
thatwill be answeredbyGod. If answered,Iguessyoucanconcludewhowould haveprovidedthe answer
to such prayers… The question is wouldwe want to be a tool for the advancement of the real enemy’s
objective? I am convinced no Christian would intentionally want to play such a role. Hence, we need to
consider carefully how we pray for the “perceived enemy”.
Now some may ask about the actions of the “perceived enemy” and its intended consequences. Again
let’stake alookat whatthe scripture says.FromIsaiah54:17 we know thatno weaponformedagainstus
shall prosperandevery tongue thatrisesagainstusweshall condemnasthisistheheritageof the servants
of the Lord and our righteousnessisfromHim.We are alsotold inProverbs30:5 that the Lord is a shield
to those who put their trust in Him. If the Lord is protecting us who then can hurt us? Furthermore, we
knowfrom Romans 8:28 that all thingswork togetherforgood to those wholove God to those who are
calledaccordingto His purpose and James1:2-4 tellsusto count it all joy whenwe fall intovarioustrials
knowingthatthe testingof our faithproducespatience andwe shouldletpatience have itsperfectwork
that we may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. We can see from the above scriptures that
irrespective of the actions of the “perceived enemy” its consequences will be positive for us if we have
the rightscriptural attitude.Iadmit thoughthat sometimeswe mayfeel the needtoact to reduce some
of these actions.However,itisimportantinsuchinstancestorecognizethe source asbeingfromthe real
enemy(Satan) anddeal withit fromthat perspective. Forsome insightsonhow to do this,I recommend
youreadchaptersix of the bookthe TriumphantChurchbyKennethE.Hagin.Givenall of these,doesthat
meanthe Lordwill watchperpetuallyinsilence?Definitelynot,butIbelieveourprayers(negative request
on perceived human enemies) cannot initiate that action, in this case, it is what He decides in His
sovereignty.Romans12:19-20 tellsus “Beloved,donotavenge yourselves,butrathergiveplace towrath;
for itis written, “Vengeance isMine,Iwill repay,”saysthe Lord.Therefore,if yourenemyhungers,feed
him;if he thirsts,give hima drink; For inso doingyou will heapcoalsof fire onhis head”.Our place is to
act inlove towardsall,speakingthe truthinlove, prayingthatthe blindfoldof the enemyoverunbelievers
be broken(2nd
Corinthians4:4) and thatthe HolySpiritshouldrevealtous(believers) areaswhere we are
in error while also resisting the real enemy (James 4:7). Shalom!
RECOMMENDED READING
1. The Art of Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin
2. A Better Way To Pray by Andrew Wommack
3. Secrets of a Prayer Warrior byb Derek Prince
4. Triumphant Church by Kenneth E Hagin
5. Revelation 12:11