Israel cannot help but bless their enemies, since God's blessing on Abraham includes all the peoples of the earth being blessed through Israel. (Genesis 12:3) They may never share in the earthly Jerusalem, but if the enemies of Israel trust and surrender to Jesus (which includes repenting of following the Haman spirit seeking to destroy Israel), even the enemies of Israel can have a share in the heavenly Jerusalem that is to come. (Revelation 21)

So, how are you doing following the instruction of Jesus to love, bless, and pray for your human enemies, whomever they may be? (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27) God loved and blessed us through Jesus while we were still his enemies (Romans 5:10), so blessing our enemies is central to reflecting God's love for them.

Find pleasure in blessing. When you are frustrated with an opponent or someone behaving badly toward you, here are a few blessings to try, “May you be blessed”, “Have a good day”, “May you have a share in the new Jerusalem.” If you miss the moment to say the blessing in their hearing, then just pray the blessing quietly, “Lord, bless them in their challenges,” “Lord, bless their family,” “Lord, lead them to Jesus so they have a share in the new Jerusalem.” Once you get the ball rolling with the new habit of opening your mouth to bless, you will find the Holy Spirit giving you lots of blessings for others, especially if you ask.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess that I have too often pronounced curses, or just shut my mouth instead of uttering blessings and praying for my enemies and opponents. Let me start now by blessing the enemies of Israel, since I reckon them as my enemies also. Lord God, bless the fighters and supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah. Open their eyes and hearts to Jesus. Send angels and evangelists to them. Let them repent and trust and surrender to Jesus so that they may have a share in the new Jerusalem. Show them the great wealth and value of the heavenly Jerusalem that will last forever. Make your revelation so compelling that they cease coveting the earthly Jerusalem which really belongs to their neighbor. In the Name of Jesus, I Pray. Amen.

We may be tempted and even feel justified to curse someone we think deserves it. But if you desire to please God and be blessed yourself, remember our pastor’s exhortation and declare today, “They may do evil, but I am prayer.”