PRAYER OF DEATH?

Dearly Beloved, PRAYER OF DEATH? “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV). Recently, I was in a public transport. Two ladies were discussing openly what was happening in their workplace. I was not interested in their discussion, but a statement of one of the ladies caught my attention: "I no longer have mercy for anyone. I will pray the prayer of death for anyone who does any evil against me!" I thought within me, "Prayer of death? Is this what the Bible teaches?" I could not ascertain whether this lady is a Christian or not, but I am aware that that has become the main prayer point of many so-called Christians in this part of the world. It will not be a surprise if some people after reading this message argue in favour of such prayer points against perceived and real enemies. Prayer of death? I still cannot find any of such in the Holy Bible, especially the New Testament. There are enemies, agreed. However, how do we relate with them according to the Bible? How did Jesus Christ and His disciples relate with their enemies? What are their teachings about enemies? Did they encourage us to pray for the death of the enemies? Here are some of their teachings: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him” (Proverbs 24:17-18 NKJV). “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV. See also Matthew 5:43-48). “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.... If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:14, 20 NKJV). “...not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9 NKJV). Jesus Christ and Stephen demonstrated these teachings while they were about to die in the hands of their enemies (see Luke 23:34; Acts 7:59; 1 Peter 2:21-23). The apostles were persecuted by the power that be. They did not pray against these "enemies". They rather prayed for themselves for more enablement. The outcome of their prayer was awesome as they were refilled with the power of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 4:23-31). What has been the outcome of your prayer in response to the action of the enemies against you? Instead of praying "the prayer of death" against your enemies, pray for yourself for more power of the Holy Spirit to be able to withstand all the wiles of the enemies. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me, Lord, not to pray against my enemies, to be able to be filled with your Spirit to overcome all the wiles of these enemies.