Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 4/19/2011

Question
Hello. I was wondering, if it is ever acceptable for a christian to pray for revenge or justice? If you have been wronged by someone or feel in danger because of a certain person, is it ever wrong to pray for them?

Answer
Hello Janelle,
Thank you for your question. We know from the teaching of Jesus that we as Christians are called to love our enemies and pray for them with a forgiving spirit. This is always right but this is not the same as suggesting that a wrong done to us is OK and does not really matter. It does and where there is no repentance the perpetrator will have to face the judgment of God. To pray for justice is a good thing but revenge is not for us as only God is in a position to repay people for what they have done, as He is the only one who is without sin Himself.
We are called to forgive as God has forgiven us. However our willingness to forgive is of no benefit to someone unless they are  repentant.
If the way in which we have been wronged involves the breaking of the laws of the land then the person should face the judgement of the law courts. Even where we forgive from the heart the state has a responsibility to punish crime and protect others.
Even where we willingly forgive that does not mean we are required to be foolish. For example to forgive someone who has stolen money from us does not require us to then trust them with our money.
Finally, forgiveness is a choice of will not a feeling. When we have been badly treated feelings of forgiveness may take a long time to emerge and could be a difficulty for the rest of our lives. To forgive is to seek no retribution on the penitent, to treat the person with grace  and do nothing to make their lives harder and also to pray for them that God will do a deep work of change in their lives.
I hope these comments of some help and pray that God wil help you deal wisely with all life's difficult situations.
May God bless you.
Stuart Woodward