Pray For Those Who Persecute You

Matthew 5:43-48 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

"Pray for those who persecute you..." 

Susan, a 14-year-old girl living in a Muslim country, converted to Christianity after an evangelist had visited her school. She kept her new found faith hidden for a month until her father found out about her conversion. He locked her in a small room for 6 months, until the neighbors got curious and called the police. She was transported to a hospital and when asked how she was feeling, she replied, "I am happy and not in pain. I would never leave my Jesus who died for me."
If I had been locked up for 6 months by my father, I know my response would not be kind. She was so loving and encouraging even after being persecuted for her faith.

Jesus on the cross is another example of praying for those who persecute us. In Luke 23:34, he cries out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Instead of being angered by all the people beating and mocking him and nailing them to the cross, he asked God to forgive them.

The Bible calls us to be imitators of Christ, so if Christ can pray for those who nailed him to the cross, we can surely pray for anyone who has ever or would ever persecute us.