Especially when reading the Psalms, I’ve never known what to do with the language of enemies. Unlike the psalmists, I don’t have any flesh and blood enemies. Some Christians—especially those living in parts of the world where they face persecution—do have such enemies. Not me, though. At least not at the moment. But enemies can include things like anger and anxiety, and anything going on inside of us that steals our peace and keeps us from walking in faith. That’s why prayers like the one below are still helpful.

“O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”