Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing – 1 Peter 3:9.
Many intercessors have been taught to pray against our enemies, but the Bible teaches us something different. Jesus told us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us (Luke 6:27,28). He warns us not to be judgmental, and not to condemn lest we ourselves be condemned (Luke 6:37, 38). Instead we are called to be a blessing, and in so doing we will fulfill our calling and receive a blessing ourselves (2 Peter 3:9)
It is the blessing that brings change to a bad situation. We recently heard of a pastor in a small Texas town who began praying against an adult video store which had just opened. But as he continued to curse the store over the next six months two more opened. Then he heard the message that we are called to be a blessing, and that we should bless and curse not (James 3:9,10). Instead of cursing, he begin to pray blessings on the store owners that their eyes would be opened and blessings on the buildings that they would be used for God’s purposes. Soon all of the adult video stores were gone.
When we curse our enemies we are actually coming into agreement with Satan, who is seeking to destroy us all. Instead we are to pray for God’s will to be manifest in the lives of our enemies and in a bad situation, like the Texas pastor did. By praying God’s plans and purposes, we can change the atmosphere and release God’s power.
To defeat the darkness, all that is needed is to turn on the light.
Pray through the following blessing sheets to help you learn to pray God’s blessings so that you will inherit your blessing:
- Church Blessings
- God Bless America