I have an app that helps me remember the people who have asked me to pray for them. My brain doesn’t hold on to things like names and to-do list type items very well, so I always have to write things down.

When someone asks me to pray for their cousin or daughter or friend, I happily add it to the list in the app. When they ask for prayer for specifics in their own lives like health issues or big decisions, I add that information too.

Then, on top of that, I add other people and circumstances in my own life and the world around me that need prayer. Fires in LA, financial concerns, relationships…

The list gets long pretty fast. When it comes time to pray, I consult my list frequently.

But one category of things is not on my list, I’ve noticed. And Jesus says it is important.

“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…” (Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭43‬-‭44,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

I don’t tend to include my “enemies” on my prayer list.

Today I will make a new category in my prayer app and include it right at the top so I don’t run out of steam before I get to it. I will pray for people I dislike, people I don’t agree with, people who have treated me badly or who treat other people badly. I will pray for success in the lives of my rivals, for love to flourish in the lives of hateful people, and for clear-minded wisdom for all leaders whether I chose them to lead or not.

This is the opposite of what I’ve been taught all my life by my culture, but it’s exactly the right way to behave as a follower of Jesus.

Dear God, thank you for the reminder to love my enemies, my rivals, and my opponents. Teach me how to pray for those who make my life more difficult and uglier. Please spread your blessing and joy on their lives. Bring them wisdom and peace, and most of all, reveal your love to them in a great way.