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We're often told that we should pray for our enemies, but how should we do that?
Surely we shouldn't pray for bad trials to come on them, yet if they are not converted,
it doesn't seem we should ask God to bless them, either (John 17:9).
Answer # 66
In Matthew 5:44, Jesus tells us, "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." This scripture shows that we should pray in love that God will bless our enemies.
Pastor General Herbert W. Armstrong has often remarked that he prays for his enemies and that we should, also.
Does this mean that we should pray that God will shower them with abundant riches? Or should we pray that God will bring sore trials upon our enemies so that they might come to repentance?
Jesus does not specify what type of blessing we should pray for. Only God in His infinite knowledge and wisdom knows what type of blessing our enemies should receive based upon their actions and needs.
Of course, their greatest blessings would come if they would repent and seek God. But only God can grant repentance and only He knows how best to bring it about (Romans 2:4).
In John 17:9, Jesus set the example for us that we should not pray for this world's system. God is not going to save the system that humanity, under Satan's sway, has established in this world, and we should not pray for it. We should pray for God's Kingdom and for those who are now the embryo of that Kingdom. This scripture does not say, however, that it is wrong to pray for our enemies.