How did the prophet Elisha pray for enemies and what did he ask God for?

We must admit that we do not know how to pray well. Even about everyday needs – about work, family, health, relationships with people. At best, we ask God for something that meets our will, our understanding of what is convenient and proper. It is much more difficult to pray in difficult circumstances, surrounded by enemies and troubles.

The Bible contains quite a lot of stories about how, at a critical moment in life, people turned to God and how God performed miracles in response to their prayers. These stories not only tell what happened and how God acted. These stories teach us how to relate to what is happening.

What should be done first? That’s right, pray. But what is the right way to pray? This is the most important question.

We can pray correctly only when we have the right ideas about God. The God of the Bible has full authority, and our prayer to Him must be based on the complete submission of our will to Him. Prayer is not a request to give us what we need. Prayer is an expression of our worship, humility, obedience, glorification of God as our King and Master.

If we believe and know that our God is good and omnipotent, then we trust Him in what and when He will do. We ask less often, we give thanks and praise more. Even if we ask, we submit our desires to Him by saying: “Thy will be done.” He already knows everything. He is with us. He is doing it for our good. He suffers with us in our troubles. He strengthens our hands and fights for us. Right here and now.

One of the most interesting biblical stories about salvation from imminent death and victory over superior enemy forces is associated with the name of the prophet Elisha.

When the armies of the Syrians fell upon Israel, the man of God knew what to do. He didn’t panic. He saved the king, warning of danger:

“And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.” (2 Kings 6:9).

When the king of Syria realized that the salvation of Israel depended on God’s prophet, he decided to seize Elisha.

At night, the troops surrounded the city where the man of God was. It would seem that Israel’s last hope would perish here. But this was only part of a great and wonderful story.

This story is about how we can pray correctly and see everything that is happening around us correctly.

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (15-18).

The prophet shows no panic. He doesn’t have any questions. The servant has a question: “How shall we do?”. The answer to this question is prayer.

Elisha did not pray for the Lord to rush to help. He knew that help was already here. All that was needed was to trust God. But to encourage his servant, the prophet asked the Lord to open his eyes to spiritual reality.

At the same time, Elisha prays for blindness for the enemy:

“Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (18).

The Lord makes the blind see and the sighted blind. In this way He shows His sovereignty. The helpless Syrians dutifully follow Elisha to the capital and see only when surrounded by Israeli troops. It would seem that this is the end of history, disarmed enemies will be killed and a miraculous victory will be celebrated.

But when the king of Israel proposes to kill the helpless Syrians, Elisha stops him:

“Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” (22).

The prophet thus offers a more convincing victory. Prophetic words express not so much common sense as the character and good will of God Himself.

In this story, Elisha’s behavior, advice and prayers deserve special attention.

First, he tells the servant, “Don’t be afraid.” Don’t panic, remember God’s authority and power.

Secondly, he tells the king: “Thou shalt not kill,” that is, do not rush to appropriate God’s victory and show unnecessary cruelty.

Thirdly, “feed and let go” of the enemies, that is, show prudence and show your strength in good, show them that you are different, not mean, not evil like these invaders.

At the same time, Elisha prays to God both for his people and for enemies. I wonder how and what he asks.

First, he prays to the Lord: “open your eyes” of his people so that they see the fullness of reality, see the armies of angels and God’s presence in the most difficult situation.

Secondly, he asks the Lord to disarm the enemies: “smite them with blindness” so that they become helpless, and then “open their eyes”, so that they can see where they are and in what position.

As a result, the Israelites were saved and their enemies the Syrians were pardoned so that both of them could become witnesses of the power and mercy of our God.

With his advice and prayers, Elisha tells each of us: do not give in to panic, trust in God’s power and strength, do not cultivate hatred and cruelty, and do not be blind like enemies.

Following this good advice, we should pray for right vision for ourselves and insight for our enemies.

May the Lord show us in our moments of confusion, His armies of angels, His power and glory.

And let the enemies go blind in their self-confidence, so that later they will see the light in helplessness and humble themselves under God’s power, so that they will never again fight against God’s people, so that with fear and trembling they will tell their children and grandchildren about the power and mercy of the great God of Israel.

Author — Mikhail Cherenkov / cherenkoff.blogspot.com

Source: https://ieshua.org/kak-prorok-elisej-molilsya-o-vragah-i-o-chyom-prosil-boga.htm