Because I find it the most difficult to pray spontaneously for my enemies at those very times when I need the most to do so, I “assembled” the prayer below from bits and pieces on the Internet. This way I only have to say the words. God seems to take care of the rest.

Lord Jesus, following your example and command, we pray for our enemies today. We ask first that you would saturate our lives with the Holy Spirit’s power and might. Let your love and mercy flow through us and free us from holding on to anything that could compromise our life of prayer. Help us to release all the unforgiving-ness, wishes for revenge, and hateful ideations or emotions that can hinder your Spirit in our hearts and in our lives. Then give us wisdom as we seek how to bless, to love, and to pray for our enemies.

Forgive my enemies, Lord, and anyone who has tried to hurt or has harmed me and those I love. Look down in pity on all those whom I might term “enemies” and give me the grace to show them the love of Christ in my actions and attitudes towards them. Keep my thoughts from becoming “stuck” or resentful or from fantasizing revenge. Instead set loose in my soul the peace that only comes from committing everything I have and everything I am to you. Give me the grace not only to truly forgive all my enemies but also to bless those who persecute and try to harm and destroy the “we’s” of me: my family, my parish and community. Please help me, God.  Amen.