“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” –Matthew 5:43–44 

Loving Our Enemy

Kidnapped by raiding pirates at the age of 16 and carried away from his family in Britain, Patrick was taken to Ireland and sold as a slave to an uncivilized, barbaric Irish chieftain. Assigned the menial and mundane task of caring for his master’s sheep, Patrick was forced to endure months of solitude out in the wild hills of Ireland with nothing but sheep to keep him company. Patrick turned to the only place he could for help—God.

Much like David the shepherd boy had done so many years before, Patrick spent his days and weeks of isolation pouring out his heart to God. 

Spirit-Led Escape

This continued for seven years until one night, God spoke to Patrick in a dream, telling him his prayers had been heard, and he should get up and go to a boat which was waiting to take him home. Although he was nowhere near the sea and had no idea which direction he should go, Patrick set out in faith, following God’s direction. He walked for more than 200 miles—never once getting stopped or questioned—until he came to the sea where a boat was anchored in the bay.

When he returned home, he tried to settle back into his old life, but Patrick couldn’t forget the people who had held him captive those seven years.

A Troubling Vision

One night as Patrick was sleeping, he had a vision of an Irish man begging him to return to Ireland because they were lost in darkness and desperately needed God’s truth. Though his parents begged him to stay in Britain, Patrick chose to obey, following God’s call to go back to Ireland and bring the gospel to a people lost in darkness. 

Patrick Returns

Patrick had every reason to stay in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. But placing his life and freedom in God’s hands, he went back to Ireland to proclaim the message of God’s love and forgiveness to those who had never heard it—to the people who were once his enemies. Because of Patrick’s obedience to the Lord, an entire nation was evangelized, and the course of history was changed. 

Although it’s never easy, Jesus’ instructions to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” aren’t a polite suggestion or request. They’re a command—one the Holy Spirit will help us fulfill.

Your “enemy” may be your neighbor, a difficult co-worker, or even a once-close friend who betrayed you. Regardless of who it is, ask the Lord to show you how you can actively demonstrate His love to them today. Then, ask for His strength to love them well and go out and follow His leading.

What does this mean for me?

Who is God asking you to love when it feels the hardest? Maybe someone has wronged you, broken your trust, or hurt you deeply. Jesus calls us to pray for those who persecute us. Who is the person the Lord is asking you to pray for today? Take a moment and ask Him to bring someone to mind. It doesn’t have to be an enemy—it might be a friend who misunderstood you or even the driver who cut you off this morning. Regardless of who it is, commit to praying for them each day this week. Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to soften and transform our hearts, allowing us to love as Jesus loves.

This article is part of the Let’s Go devotional, which is focused on fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission. Follow along with the devotional here.