Prayer for Love of Neighbors and Enemies

O gracious God! Who in Thy fervent love toward us dost richly bless us in body and soul, and who hast commanded us to love our neighbor with a love like Thine! I confess to Thee. that my heart has not yet permitted itself to be brought to such true and sincere love for my neighbor. According to Thy commandment I should love my neighbor as myself. When Thou sendest him fortune, health, and prosperity. I should rejoice, just as I would if Thou hadst sent them to me. I ought sincerely to love the enemy who hates, reviles, persecutes, and oppresses me. I ought to pray for him, wish him well, and beseech Thee to bless him in body and soul.

But, O omniscient God. Thou knowest how far my heart is removed from the fulfillment of these duties. Alas! when Thou bestowest good fortune, honors, or benefits upon my neighbor and not upon me. I often look on with envy because Thou art so kind to him. O all-knowing God. Thou seest how. listless and weak are my prayers for my enemies. I either forget them entirely when I pray, or, if I think of them because Thy Spirit so often reminds me of my duty. I pray for them in a very few words. O my God and Father; I recognize in these things the misery and depravity in which I still lie, and perceive that I am not yet such a disciple of Christ as I ought to be. For true disciples are to be known by their love, not only to their good friends and benefactors, but also to those who envy, hate and persecute them.

I pray Thee therefore, change my revengeful and rebellious heart, so that by Thy grace I may heartily and honestly love my neighbor as myself. Grant me grace to rejoice in his good fortune, and not to be sorrowful or envious because Thou dost not at the same time send similar good fortune to me. Preserve me from all deceitfulness toward him. Let me not be friendly toward him in word and hostile in heart. Let me not betray him with a Judas’ kiss, but be honest and sincere in my dealings with him. And should I be obliged to suffer persecution, abuse, and injury at the hands of enemies, give me strength to bear these things with meekness, and not to return evil for evil or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, and wishing them all manner of good.

O Lord God! Thou seest how hard it is for flesh and blood to fulfill this duty. But by Thy grace and help it can be done. Grant that I may always bear in mind the infinite love with which Thou, O heavenly Father, didst love us men when we were vet Thine enemies. Let me always keep in view the love of Jesus, who prayed for His enemies and did good to them. Engrave in my heart the merciful love of the Holy Spirit, who wearies not of working on my rebellious heart and knocking at its door, that I may be moved to a true love for my neighbor, and thus give evidence that I am a genuine disciple of Jesus. Amen.