"You can’t love your enemies unless you are praying for them."

Who would say such a thing?

Jesus.

Well, actually it is my paraphrase of what Jesus is quoted as saying, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44 N.I.V.)

There seems to be something wrong with that philosophy at so many levels. 'Enemies' aren't those whom you love, and those whom you love aren't 'enemies.' If one is going to pray about persecution, it would probably be for it to stop.

The intent of Jesus' instruction, "pray for those who persecute you" seems to imply a prayer for blessing or perhaps forgiveness for them.

That was the expressed view of Jesus of Nazareth, but it sure isn't the perspective of much of contemporary evangelical Christianity in the western world. Evangelical Christianity seems to have gravitated almost 'en mass' beyond the Old Testament vengeance perspective of an eye for an eye to what is now called in militaristic terms - a 'pre-emptive strike' against our enemies. We are now encouraged to not only meet force with force, but to anticipate their worst actions and bring our force to bear before they can strike us.

I must admit that that philosophy is very tempting to me - but it just doesn't seem anything like Christ.

Is there no longer a relevance to turn the other cheek?

It seems that to much of evangelical Christianity 'Jesus'  isn't relevant anymore. I've been told that Jesus' teaching about ones' enemies isn't practical in our world of terrorism.

Interesting. I suppose that the Lord's Prayer isn't practical either. In that teaching He said that if we don't forgive those who sin against us we would not be forgiven.

Is this only to apply to a certain scale of transgression? How much transgression do you want God to forgive on your balance sheet?

How seriously must I pray for my enemies? Is it possible that I need to pray for others before getting around to praying for myself?