PRAYING AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES… RIGHT OR WRONG?

PRAYING AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES… RIGHT OR WRONG?

By Elijah Asuo Wiredu

This subject has been an issue among churches especially in Africa. More elite churches preach against praying using fire, thunder, sword and the wrath of God in prayers against our enemies. Jesus says

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Matt 5 43-45

PRAYING AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES… RIGHT OR WRONG?

By Elijah Asuo Wiredu

This subject has been an issue among churches especially in Africa. More elite churches preach against praying using fire, thunder, sword and the wrath of God in prayers against our enemies. Jesus says

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Matt 5 43-45

Let us consider this experience of Apostle Paul.

But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Acts 13:9-12

We learn that Elymas was an enemy (of righteousness) and in his experience with Paul, Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul filled with the Holy Spirit called blindness on him and it worked. He was not even a spiritual enemy. He was a physical person. Was that against the words of Jesus?-under the holy Spirit?

In fact, Jesus Christ taught us that even when our good have been stolen (John 10:10), we may need to bind the thief first before we can plunder the goods.

In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.

Mark 3:27

Other scriptures

Luke 19:27 King James Version (KJV)

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil on the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and shaving put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...