Undeniably, one of the major themes of the New Testament is praying for our enemies. Repeatedly, Jesus calls us to pray for and do good to those who persecute us. Although this teaching permeates all of Scripture, Christians fall short of this standard on a regular basis – myself included.
I believe a biblically faithful definition of an enemy is someone who is hostile towards you in thought, word, or deed.
When we are hurt by another person, we want to take revenge. Often, we are blinded by our rage and immediately strike out against the other person with poisonous words. We gossip and slander, hoping that our speech has the power to torment the person who hurt us.
My recent song, Pray For ‘Em, was inspired by the remarkable words Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus regarding forgiveness.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
In order to fully understand this verse, we need to ask – HOW has God forgiven us?
Throughout Scripture, especially in the book of Romans, we see that mankind is depraved. Not only do we rebel against God, we are unable to even desire to please Him due to our sinful nature. Ultimately, we are born into this world as transgressors with consciences that have been dashed to futility by our sin.
Paul writes elsewhere that while we were yet ENEMIES, we were reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of Christ. (Romans 5:10).
You have offended, hurt, and maligned God far more than any human has done to you.
In the midst of our wickedness, Jesus lived the perfect life you and I CANNOT live and died a brutal death we DESERVE to die so that we can have eternal life. If we are to forgive others the same way God has forgiven us in Christ, then there is absolutely no room to hold bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness in our hearts.
I pray that the Holy Spirit would use the Scriptures and my song below to free you from the cold chains of rebellion.
(If you are reading this in your e-mail, you will need to go to the actual page to hear the song.)
Verse 1 [Tyler Ramsbey]
Hurt people hurt people I remember that
So you can sling that dirt but Imma settle back
I know that it hurts but I will never grab
After my reputation cuz I’m dead to that
In other words I don’t need your applause
I don’t seek to please people I serve God
So Imma pray for you while your anger burns on
Even through the malice I promise that I will stand strong
I don’t think you get it well listen in for a moment
Understand my heart was frozen until my King overthrowed it
My entire life was broken deserving death I was hopeless
With every breath I was choking provoking the God who wrote it
I didn’t think I’d make it out alive
Till I heard about the God who willingly died
Took my sin upon the cross and given me life
I forgive cuz I’m forgiven I live in the light
Chorus [Sean Divine]
Sometimes we ain’t on the same page
We see it all a million ways
Our lives so different
In the end we’re just the same
You can throw dirt on me
Question the direction about my dreams
All Imma do is pray for em (pray for em)
All I can is pray for em (pray for em)
Verse 2 [Tyler Ramsbey]
I deserve death but He gave life
So with every breath Imma state my
Praise and adoration to the Most High
Let the jokes fly with all of the broke lies
Cuz I know in no time my God will crack the whole sky
And So I keep on praying if I’m persecuted
Father they don’t know what they are doing
I was once like you being influenced
By the god of this world all while my sins spewin
But He came and He changed me He went through it
Took my shame and the pain while I was still moving
Further from His presence but He still led me straight to Him
Uh, So who am I to hold a grudge
I’ve been forgiven for living with all my broken lust
I’m amazed at the grace that is holding us
See we forgive because we’re sick and yet we know His love
Chorus [Sean Divine]
Sometimes we ain’t on the same page
We see it all a million ways
Our lives so different
In the end we’re just the same
You can throw dirt on me
Question the direction about my dreams
All Imma do is pray for em (pray for em)
All I can is pray for em (pray for em)
Verse 3 [Tyler Ramsbey]
Uh, We need to rise above
Unforgiveness in your heart will make you die to love
You will be chained by the pain and it won’t lighten up
Until you free your soul, with the finest touch
Look, let us start an insurgence
So we can pray for the people who would burn this
Let’s take the values of the world and turn them
All the way around with sound love and purpose
If they hurt you let it turn to worship
Reflect Christ cuz your life has been purchased
And plus you didn’t earn this… So let your burdens
Fall to the Wordsmith and call on His Holy Name
No matter what they say, go ahead and show His fame
We gotta love our enemies until they know the same
Grace that we’ve tasted I pray this is getting through
Forgive others the same way He’s forgiven you
Chorus [Sean Divine]
Sometimes we ain’t on the same page
We see it all a million ways
Our lives so different
In the end we’re just the same
You can throw dirt on me
Question the direction about my dreams
All Imma do is pray for em (pray for em)
All I can is pray for em (pray for em)
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the song, be sure to share this post with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!
Tyler Ramsbey 