Faith

Can We Pray for Evil Men to Die? What do we do to our Enemies? #AskLifegiva

Question: What do you think about using scriptures e.g some Psalms of David to pray (swear) for evil men? 

Answer:

When we truly discern the source of all evil, we will know how to better respond. There is definitely someone working in the heart of this people, there are mere tool. It’s the devil working his nature through them. So even if we pray they fall and down, that nature/the devil simply moves to the next vessel and continues his work. 

So we shouldn’t just respond with emotions, we should be discerning. Face the root and not just aim at cutting off the fruits.

Also, there is what the flesh feels like doing, but there is something the word of God instructs is to do. We must be willing and open to obey God against what we think is right.

How does the bible ask us to treat our enemies?

God’s instructions for us as to what we’re to do when men do evil to us, in particular or in general is very clear.

Matthew 5:44-48 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? (48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The word “love” in verse 44 is the Greek word agapao. It is something you are to do. It is to esteem and treat highly. It also means to wish well and make a sacrifice for.

The first thing Jesus says about loving your enemy is that you will bless. The word “bless” is from the Greek word eulogeo. It means to eulogise. He says bless those who curse you. Someone curses you and you are to eulogise the person. Eulogeo means to say something praiseworthy. Used in
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

How do you bless? James 3:9-10 says with my mouth. I cannot curse. I am not born that way. I only bless with my mouth. My being blessed does not stop another from being blessed. I bless with my words.

Romans 12:14 – Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

The first thing I do is to bless. The second thing is to do good; the Greek word translated as “good” in Matthew 5:44 is the word kalo. It means kindness. You are to do good to them that despitefully use you. The word “despitefully” is to insult you and molest you. It is the Greek word epereazo. You are to pray for someone when he does this to you.

What do you pray for them? Pray all the Pauline prayers.

Just like our Father. When the church was under persecution. They prayed and they said “behold their threatenings”. Acts 4:28-30. Pray in your understanding. It might not be easy on the flesh but it is what we are supposed to do. It is easy to do good to those who do good to you. You do good to them that hate you. You pray for people who offend you. Why? Because you are the stronger one. By praying for him you bind unforgiveness and you loose forgiveness.

You pray for people who offend you. Why? Because you are the stronger one. By praying for him you bind unforgiveness and you loose forgiveness. Click To Tweet

There was not a single utterance of harm against their persecutors. Why do we do this? That we maybe the children of our Father. Matthew 5:45. What this means is I must take the initiative. I must be the one to initiate reconciliation. I do not wait till something is done by the other party.

When the early church was persecuted, there was not a single utterance of harm against their persecutors. Click To Tweet

Walking in love is a spiritual activity that I undertake. I am the one that will do something. I am the one that will pray. One of the ways we know maturity is how we walk in love. We are like our Father who treats everyone the same.


Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

God makes his rain and his sun to bless. In other words, the love of God is without partiality, it is unconditional. You will forgive everybody the same way. The love of God is impartial in anyway. You can pray for someone that has hurt you. I need to show to the flesh that I am born of the Spirit.

God makes his rain and his sun to bless. In other words, the love of God is without partiality, it is unconditional. You will forgive everybody the same way. Click To Tweet

We hope this helps someone, this definitely is not the answer the flesh wants, but we must subject our flesh to the will of the Spirit as stated in the bible.

Written by Oloruntoyin Moyosore and Oludapo Tolulope.

About author

Articles

Tolulope Oludapo is a young Christian who lends his voice through the media by sharing practical wisdom for everyday living in the most experiential and simplified fashion. This has fetched him the direct followership of over 30,000 users on his blog, lifegiva.com. A blog he founded. He loves to write on varying subjects that affect life, faith, relationship...everyday living.
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