Is it time for imprecatory prayers?

(Note this is an updated post, first published August 19,2024)

The more one learns about the level of wickedness entrenched in the levers of government, education, science, media and entertainment in Western Civilization, a sense of futility can set in. This begs a question for the God-fearing Christian: Is it time for imprecatory prayers?

An imprecation is invoking a curse of misfortune upon someone. But doesn’t that go against New Testament teaching about loving your enemies and turning the other cheek?

Yes, it does, but only if you invoke such prayers for personal reasons such as wishing evil upon people or vengeance. When we invoke these curses, we are to do so not against our personal enemies, but God’s enemies.

But aren’t our adversaries, God’s adversaries? Not necessarily.

In our pride, we could consider anyone who wrongs us , an enemy. When this happens, we are certainly not reacting in love. However, hating the evil works of those who mock God, now we’re getting somewhere.

God loves us, therefore the Christian loves God. God hates evil, therefore, the Christian hates evil. Anyone , or any entity that declares wickedness over God’s word and precepts, is an enemy of God, therefore, that person or entity is our enemy.

Get it?

Biblically, imprecatory psalms are the psalmists’ call to bring down destruction, calamity and God’s anger and judgement upon His enemies. Again, I say God’s enemies, not any individuals who have personally done injustice to us.

God’s enemies refers to any entity– be it a religious system , political ideology, scientific theory or whatever–that mocks , rejects or blasphemes the triune God: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Invoking imprecatory prayers comes only after the enemies’ rejection of every call for repentance through our prayers and exhortation.

Invoking such prayers should only come as a last resort, not a first strike. Imprecatory prayers should only come after praying in God’s will and careful study of the Bible.

The major imprecatory Psalms are Psalms 5, 10, 17, 35, 58, 59, 69, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, and 140. At first reading, some of the curses could be perceived as harsh according to modern Christian sensibilities.

For instance , in Psalm 69:28 David prays his enemies “be blotted from book of the living,” seems contradictory to Jesus commanding we love our enemies and pray for them that persecute you, (Matthew 5:44).” Jesus is talking about our personal relationships with individuals who have wronged us. On the other hand, if a person preaches an ideology sparking division or other harm to the church body, that person is an enemy of God.

In Psalm 137, the psalmist calls for God to dash the babies of the Edomites against the rocks. A shocking image, if read only on its own.

However, within the context of Psalm 137, the psalmist is asking for God’s justice to repay the evil committed against the Israelites, His covenant people. In other words, it was highly likely that among the atrocities the Edomites committed against Israel, was dashing Hebrew babies against the rocks.

The temptation for modern Christians is to cherry pick the Psalms they like while dismissing uncomfortable ones, like the imprecatory Psalms, as irrelevant. This , at best, is a questionable practice .

Imprecations are not merely Old Testament practice, but also prevalent in the New Testament. Consider that Jesus quoted Psalm 69 in two instances (John 2:17; 15:25).

The Apostle, Paul, also issued an imprecation when he urged believers to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:20-21):

” To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”—Romans 12:20-21 (ESV)

Paul’s imprecation of “hot coals” on your enemy’s head was a quote from Proverbs 25:22 . The metaphor , of course, signifies judgement.

Even the prayer of “Come, Lord Jesus” is an imprecation. With the call for Jesus’ return is the implication of final judgement of God’s enemies.

This comes from a longing for God’s justice to punish evil. We are repulsed by the spirit of lawlessness due to the regeneration of our hearts by Christ.

Why the inherent disgust? It’s because this lawless spirit originates from none other than the evil one, the devil.

With this in mind, may we understand that the conflict is spiritual. In other words, we are engaged in spiritual warfare.

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 in 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 having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.– Ephesians 6:12-15 (ESV)

Read the imprecatory Psalms listed . Study them ; meditate and pray whatever Psalm speaks to your heart, back to God. Praying God’s word back to Him are the most powerful and effective prayers.

Yes, we are to love our enemies. But love doesn’t come at the expense of God’s justice toward the spiritual forces of darkness and their minions here in the world.

So, is it time for imprecatory prayers against the unrepentant, unregenerate enemies of God? I say yes. America is in dire straits, spiritually and politically, therefore, imprecatory prayers are desperately needed for this nation.

I suggest reading and praying each of the listed imprecatory Psalms, daily. Take a psalm each day and when you have completed the list, start the process again. If you like , replace the pronoun, “I” with “we” or “our” in your prayers of the psalms.

I plan on repeating this cycle until the election and beyond. I hope you will do so as well. For our enemy is not only the Democrat Party or RINO’s, but a satanic ideology that has entrenched itself in every institution in this nation.

This is spiritual, people; therefore, only God can restore this nation. We must seek His help through diligent prayer.

…(I)f my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.—2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

What have we got to lose? Well…everything, actually.