So because they realised that they had sinned against God, and they were punished for it, they also realised that their enemies were sinning against God and as a result they should be punished too.

We, on the other hand, have ALSO sinned against God, but instead of being shown justice (as the Israelites were by being booted out of their nation), we’ve been shown grace and mercy through the sacrifice of Christ. So because that’s what has been shown to us, surely that’s what we should be praying for our enemies too? If while we were enemies of God, He saved us, then surely He can do that for our enemies also.

That realisation certainly put into perspective the difference between praying for justice and praying for mercy – in the psalms they prayed for justice, as they received – now we should surely be praying for mercy, as we’ve received.

Whether this leaves a place for us to still pray for justice I don’t know, but certainly our prayer should FIRSTLY be that God DOESN’T inflict justice – that He extends His mercy!