We want to ask ourselves some basic questions about prayer, and there isn’t any more basic question about prayer than the question of why we do it at all. We think about this by looking at some of the more surprising, and even shocking, prayers of Scripture.

You have heard that it was said,`Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven

Matthew 5:43-45