A Prayer for the "Enemy"

I have had problems with handling situations where people (actually only one or two) have seemed to be so opposed to my leadership that I have had to take a step back and seek the Lord for help. A church friend sent me a prayer over a year ago that would have you ask for the problem(s) to become a problem for God to carry for you, in essence, to release our problem(s) to God. To ask for His will be done.

In my case, after one year, the problem I had been tormented by was fully resolved. I truly believe my attitude in knowing I was trying my best followed by my asking God for help, directly led to a reduced stress level and an improved capability on my part to address the situation. I placed my problem in God's hands and embraced my faith for His resolution. With that came a peace that is very hard to describe.

This is something new that may help you when you are overwhelmed by "enemies".

Prayer for Enemy
Prayer Regarding Critics and Enemies by Serbian Orthodox Bishop
Nikolai Velimirovic, Serbian bishop who spoke out against Naziism, was arrested, and taken to Dachau.

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them. Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth; enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world.
Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath Your tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless and do not curse them.
They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world. They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself. They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments. They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself. They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Here's some more help if you have similar problems....

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. - Psalm 37:6

As a believer grows in trusting obedience and love, God often brings a test that seems uncharacteristically cruel.
The test: being wrongfully judged by those close to you. It is not for the reactionary. It cannot be passed over by simply gutting it out. Supernatural grace is the only means of passing this one.
It is one of those tests the Savior had to experience Himself when being tried by the court of public opinion, the religious community, and the government of His day. His response to the government was silence. His response to the religious establishment was silence at the final judgment. To the rest of His accusers He remained quiet and left vindication to the Father. He lived the commandment He gave to the disciples:

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35).

How do you react when you are accused or mistreated for no reason?
Do you listen quietly, or do you justify each and every action?
Most of us take pride in doing what is right and expect the same from others, especially our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Jesus knew that if you were to be a true follower of His, you would enter this test eventually. It is part of the program. The workplace gives ample opportunity to be wronged, misunderstood, and maligned. When God brings a measured assault against one of His children, it is to find out if he truly believes in the cross. The cross is where each of us is given the opportunity to die to our pride, our reputations, and our ego. When He allows a measured assault upon us, it is to find out if the cross is sufficient. He wants to see if we will seek to rescue ourselves. Jesus said if we die with Him, we will be raised with Him. When God allows satan to bring the measured assault, ask God for the grace to cling to the cross. Let the pride and arrogance that Jesus wants to remove from our lives be crucified. Thank God for the opportunity to be crucified with Christ. Then your righteousness will shine like the noonday sun and the justice of your cause will be in His hands.

From Prime Time with God

Thanks be to God!
Alyson