What Does The Bible Say?

Question- What does the Bible say about praying for our enemies, and does that include praying for nations that are godless and who do not even care about right and wrong?

Answer- The Bible is very clear about how we should treat our enemies and how much they need our prayers. Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28 are just two passages that instruct a child of God to pray for our enemies and for those who may even persecute them. Jesus showed us the ultimate example of this when He prayed in Luke 23:34- “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Certainly, praying for those who are evil does not mean we cannot speak out against evil and even become upset with those who are mistreating God and His Word. Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple and He did not sin in doing so. They were making a mockery of God’s house and, consequently, God.

We are also taught to pray for all leaders. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul instructs the young evangelist Timothy to “pray for kings and those in authority.” We are also to pray for peace and order so that Christians can live “a peaceful and quiet life and be able to practice what is godly and holy.” Paul also instructs the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet and peaceable life and learn to mind our own business and work with our hands.” Freedom to do these things is much to be desired. Remember that Paul lived during the time of Caesar’s of Rome. Many of these men were corrupt, and many others in the local and national government were totally ungodly. However, Paul stresses that the job of godly Christians is to pray for these people. We are not to compromise with them or endorse in any way the evil they perpetuate. Ephesians 5:11 tells Christians to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather speak out against them. Many have the idea that a Christian cannot show disfavor in the evil that men do in cheating and stealing from others. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many who talk about being a good Christian often will belittle a Christian when they disapprove of the evil that they do. This is not what the Bible teaches when it says to “live peaceably with all men.” Notice the verse closely: Romans 12:18- “If it is possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.” Peace with some may not be possible. The Bible does not teach that we must just take abuse from others. Sometimes, when it is a matter of showing compassion and loyalty when tempted to serve God or fold to men, we must always take abuse from others rather than denounce God. Compassion does mean Endorsement of wrong or excusing sin.

Nations of men have rulers that are often very corrupt. This is nothing new or something God did not anticipate. The “powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). All rulers and those in authority are subject to God for how they rule men among the nations and in a local capacity. God expects a certain accountability and equity from them. Citizens of governments are commanded to be subject to higher powers. However, God’s laws are always to be put first over what man may demand of us. Rulers are to defend what is right and stand opposed to what is wrong. Righteous people are not supposed to fear their leaders (because they are supposed to be on the side of truth and fairness). But we all know this is not always the case. If a Christian lives in an oppressive, he may have a harder time doing what is right, but this does relieve him of the obligation and duty to put God first in all he does (Matt. 6:33). Christians in the first century gathered together to worship even when Rome was trying to kill and forbade them from doing so. They followed God’s rules instead. They had to gather in secret at times, and many risked their lives and livelihoods to serve the Lord. The leaders were not godly, but the Christians maintained their loyalty to God even when they were put to death in the arenas for doing so. God holds rulers accountable for such atrocities. Christians have to endure such mistreatment but should always strive to “be as wise as a serpent but harmless as a dover” (Matt. 10:16). They did not have to encourage persecution; they were to be careful of who they could trust. If the righteous do not pray for leaders and nations, who will? Proverbs 14:34 says that “righteousness exalts a nation, and sin is a reproach to any people.” If you want to be a good citizen in any society, strive to be righteous as God wants all His people to be. Stand for what is right, and do not compromise with evil, but always have compassion. Pray for the souls of those who would persist in mistreating God and His people.

Please address all questions and comments to us at What Does the Bible Say? c/o Maple Street Church of Christ P.O. Box 3086, Liberty, TX 77575 and visit our website at maplestreetliberty.org