Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35)
How are you at praying for people you don’t like? Maybe their attitude doesn’t really “vibe” with yours. Maybe their cultural ways seem to bother you, or perhaps they have something about them that makes it difficult for you to be around. God wants you to pray for them, anyway.
In Acts 10, Luke wrote about a moment that changed the church forever. Peter was born and raised Jewish. As many Jews did at the time, Peter spent time with God praying on the housetop. There, God gave him a vision of unclean animals going up and down from heaven on a sheet. Then he heard God’s voice telling him to eat those animals! Well, this was unheard of for someone raised in Jewish heritage. Those were “unclean” animals to Peter. However, God continued to instruct him past his prejudice and told him that what God has cleansed, we must not call common (Acts 10:15). God then sent Peter to the house of a Gentile to minister to him. Finally, Peter opened his mouth, revealing that God is no respecter of persons.
What God did for you, He also wants to do for your worst enemy. God is in the business of redemption. Many believers continue to pray for those who are in the realm of the world of Islam, who, as a religion, have made it a point to be the enemy of Christianity. Yet, as believers pray, God has sent them dreams, visions, and visitations. Leaders in Islam have been converting to Christianity, Jesus has been appearing in Islamic lands, and people keep getting saved. God wants all men to be saved, including that person you don’t like and that person you think is “on their way to hell.” God instructs us to pray for all people, not just those who are like us or that we like.
Practical Application
Pray for those in nations where Christianity is punishable or illegal. Pray for believers' safety and doors to be opened for the Gospel to be preached there.