Acts 1:12-23

The God of the Old Testament is the God of the new.  He did not change; He changed his followers.  The life of Christ illustrated what the change was going to look like.  Christ told them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit was going to make that change in them.  It was going to be a radical change.

When Peter explained why they needed to replace Judas, he quoted from Psalms 69 and 109.  While they may do not have been able to quote them verse for verse, most Jews were familiar with the sentiments these Psalms expressed.

In these two psalms, David cries out to God for justice and vengeance against his enemies.  Yes, he asks for forgiveness for himself, and he admits he is a sinner.  Then he prays for his enemies.  God, pour out your wrath upon them.  Bend their backs forever, and let your fierce anger overtake them.  Let their tents be empty.  Blot them from the book of life; do not let them share in your salvation.  Let the authorities try them and find them guilty.  About one man in particular he prayed for God to make his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.  May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.  Turn his children into beggars, and drive them from their ruined homes.  Let creditors seize all that he has; let strangers plunder his wealth.  Let no one give him pity, or be kind to his children.  Lord, always remember his sin, and blot out his family’s name from the earth.  Make his generation the last of his family lineage.  This is how David prayed for his enemies.

Christ did not pray that his father punish his enemies.  He prayed for their salvation.  He prayed “Father forgive them.”

Christians have many opportunities to pray for enemies.  We can pray like David, or we can pray like Jesus.  To pray like Jesus, we will need the Holy Spirit’s help.