Jesus gave us a perfect example of praying for our enemies when He was being nailed to a cross. In the middle of His own agony, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

We can pray that God will “open the eyes of their hearts that they will be enlightened” about truth (Ephesians 1:18).

As we pray for our enemies, we can pray for their repentance. (2 Timothy 2:25)

When we pray for our enemies, we can ask that our hearts will remain soft and useful if the Lord wants to use us to accomplish His plan in the lives of our enemies. (Proverbs 15:1)

As we pray for our enemies, we can pray that God will work in their lives because of this offense to bring about His purposes. (Matthew 6:10)

Finally, we are commanded to forgive in that if we do NOT forgive, our sins will be held against us.

It is better to pray for those lost and to forgive as commanded.