You know what’s easy? Praying for and loving those who are kind to you. It’s even easy to pray for those who have wounded you, especially when you know they are in bondage and pain. I am struggling to pray for those on the sideline who are cheering and mocking.
The Master experienced this and sought God: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34
I don’t want to pray like that; not really. Truth be known I want to pray as David did:
O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord. - Psalms 58:6
O that Thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. For they speak against Thee wickedly, And Thine enemies take Thy name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate Thee, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against Thee? I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. - Psalms 139:19-22
Now THOSE are prayers I can get behind! Get ‘em God, did you see what they did to me, I mean what they did to You?
I sense that is what was on David’s heart; he had been wronged and betrayed. And despite his failings, he truly wanted to please God, to honor his King. But when he was wounded and scared he wanted God to vindicate him and destroy his enemies.
I find it so valuable to see what the Holy Spirit guides David to write just moments later:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. - Psalms 139:23-24
So before I pray for the Creator to destroy my enemies, before I seek my own vindication, I will first ask Him to search me, to know my heart and if there is any hurtful way in my heart (and there is), to purge this and to lead me in His way.
I will pray as Jesus did on the night He was betrayed, nevertheless Lord, not my will, but Yours be done. Then, and only then, can I pray, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
