When Jesus commands us to pray for those who abuse us, what exactly are we to pray for? That they will stop abusing us? But that’s not what he says. He says pray “for them.” This is a powerful and difficult command yet one that is saturated in love. The reason is because we often see people’s actions as defining them. A thief is a thief. A murderer is a murderer. An enslaver is an enslaver. But something glorious begins to happen when we pray for people. A thief no longer becomes a thief, but a thief in need of salvation. A murderer no longer becomes a murderer, but a murderer in need of salvation. An enslaver no longer becomes an enslaver, but an enslaver in need of salvation. Praying for someone forces us to not only see their sins but their souls. It also compels us to see our own depravity and how much we are in need of grace just like anybody. I know of no other direct means to cultivate a love for those we simply don’t want to love than to diligently pray for them. May God grant us the passion and prudence to pray for those who mistreat us and abuse us.
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