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Imprecatory Prayer - 8/3/2008 8:12:20 PM
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stellaluna
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Anyone heard of imprecatory prayer?
A friend has been visiting a church that does this. From their website:
quote:
"Imprecate" means to curse, therefore an imprecatory prayer is a prayer cursing the things that exalt themselves against God. On June 16, 2006, we began a once a month imprecatory prayer meeting in an effort to tear down certain demonic strongholds gripping our nation.
Sounds weird to me, but maybe it's just the wording.
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/3/2008 9:10:37 PM
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BerianAardvark
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Anyone heard of imprecatory prayer?
A friend has been visiting a church that does this. From their website:
quote:
"Imprecate" means to curse, therefore an imprecatory prayer is a prayer cursing the things that exalt themselves against God. On June 16, 2006, we began a once a month imprecatory prayer meeting in an effort to tear down certain demonic strongholds gripping our nation.
Sounds weird to me, but maybe it's just the wording.
Several of the Psalms are called imprecatory, it is upon them (at least after a fashion) that imprecatory prayer is based.
O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. (Psalms 139:19-22)
After 9-11 a pastor I greatly respect prayed that God would bring those who would plan and encourage such a thing to an understanding and love of Himself, or "take them out".
It is not unscriptural to pray for God to deal with those who oppose Him or His people, but it can be dangerous because the concentration on retribution upon those people can cause us to forget that God loves even those who oppose Him.
After all the two next lines in Psalm 139 are:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalms 139:23-24)
Imprecatory prayer needs to be used with care, lest the cursing become the sole purpose of the prayer.
YMMV,
Tim
Caveat Ichthus
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The Law is for the proud and the Gospel for the brokenhearted - Martin Luther
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/3/2008 9:32:54 PM
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colliefan
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In today's PC culture it sends the wrong message. I don't think there is a counterpart in the NT.
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/3/2008 10:43:48 PM
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stellaluna
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Oh. I get the David part; I guess I've never heard that particular word used for that. I've never heard of a church have corporate "imprecatory" prayer.
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/3/2008 11:18:09 PM
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BerianAardvark
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Oh. I get the David part; I guess I've never heard that particular word used for that. I've never heard of a church have corporate "imprecatory" prayer.
Nor have I, but I do understand the principles of it. I have, in my own prayers offered a sentiment akin to "they hurt me God, sic em!!" Which is a form of imprecatory prayer, but then isn't forgiveness a turning over my grievances against others to God for His judgment and action? Along with that is at least the implied statement that whatever God decides will be sufficient to settle the matter for my part?
Tim
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The Law is for the proud and the Gospel for the brokenhearted - Martin Luther
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/4/2008 7:38:41 AM
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csl7037
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Is this a major focus of the church? Do they hold meetings specifically for this purpose? That would not sit right with me. There may be a time and place for this sort of prayer but you can get into big problems when you focus too much on authority and the demonic and in effect end up exalting ourselves in the efforts to tear down everything you can think of.
We certainly have authority in Christ but it's no license to get into angry "prayer" patterns nor does it make it a good idea to run around looking for demons everywhere. This type of thing also leads to formulaic prayer - magic words...it's too easy for this to fall straight into witchcraft.
Like I said, this type of prayer has it's place. And if it's just one bullet in a comprehensive list of what the believe, OK. But if this is a major (or even minor) focus of this church, they're asking for trouble, IMO.
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/4/2008 9:30:32 AM
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stellaluna
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BerianAardvark
I have, in my own prayers offered a sentiment akin to "they hurt me God, sic em!!" Which is a form of imprecatory prayer, but then isn't forgiveness a turning over my grievances against others to God for His judgment and action? Along with that is at least the implied statement that whatever God decides will be sufficient to settle the matter for my part?
Same here.
As far as the church, it appears that they have this corporate prayer once a month. What struck me about it was the graphic they use. It's basically a very angry child or young person with a stream of fire coming from his mouth. It kind of creeped me out and I discovered it was a link by accident. When I clicked on it it took me to the imprecatory prayer page. http://www.amarillomore.org/ministries.htm
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/4/2008 10:16:55 PM
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colliefan
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What we need are prayers along the lines of "God use me to reach those who blaspheme and profane your name." "Put me in touch with a young woman who is about to abort her baby." "Use me to be salt and light in a dark and decaying world."
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/5/2008 2:54:32 AM
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FurGodWurLivin
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I think most people would be more familiar and comfortable with the term "Intercessory prayer" which deals with God making wrong things right as a small token of the coming Kingdom. However, imprecatory prayer is a specific kind of intercession that deals with God ending darkness as opposed to bringing light.
As far as the base sentiment goes, Paul expressed the same idea when he said that he wished that those who were attempting the convince the gentiles in the church they needed circumcision would "cut themselves off!"
Plus there are several examples in the Psalms of imprecatory prayer. So while it is Biblical, I think most people wouldn't know what the word actually means. So I just stick with Intercessory prayer.
Adam
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/5/2008 7:44:24 AM
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csl7037
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quote:
ORIGINAL: colliefan
What we need are prayers along the lines of "God use me to reach those who blaspheme and profane your name." "Put me in touch with a young woman who is about to abort her baby." "Use me to be salt and light in a dark and decaying world."
I agree. What we really need is a nice little dose of humility.
2Ch 7:14 - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
We sing this in songs (this church probably does too) but our churches are woefully low on humility. This is an excellent example. The "authority movement" or authority theology is the exact opposite of humility.
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/5/2008 7:46:54 AM
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peacebringer
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There is far more power in praying prayers of forgiveness then prayers of cursing. Also I take the verse that says, as you forgive, so shall you be forgiven.
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/8/2008 3:16:13 AM
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RJR_fan
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quote:
I do think this is the kind of thing you have to be very careful with. It's used very sparingly in the New Testament, and for good reason, and only ever by either prophets set apart by God or blasphemers in the OT.
Rev. 8:1-3 gives, I believe, the appropriate format for formal, liturgical, and congregational imprecatory prayer. The officers of the church (the angels -- remember chapters 2 and 3?) take the prayers of the church to the Throne -- and stuff starts to break loose on earth.
IOW -- it is not wise for Mr. Joe Christian individual believer to use this form of prayer carelessly, and all on his own. It's safer to juggle hand grenades, since we're dealing with something way too powerful for casual use.
On the other hand, the church assembled for corporate prayer is the bridge of the starship universe, the court of the heavenly King, the place where history is made, and events are given their marching orders. For example, on five specific occasions, Hitler disregarded his "inner voice," and made some incredible strategic blunder. Each time, it was a direct answer to the prayers of Rees Howell and his band of intercessors. In a courtroom, the advocates present their case, lay out the evidence, and make mention of the relevant statutes. The Judge renders His verdict, and the officers of the court (docile and domesticated plagues, for example) execute the sentence.
When we forget who we are as God's people -- officers of His court -- and decide that we are smarter than God, and should therefore be nicer than God, Satan chortles. He has us contained, domesticated, effete, neutered, ineffectual.
During its ages of spiritual power, God's people have used the Psalms as their hymn book. All of the Psalms. Including 137.
BTW -- there is a safe New Testament use of Psalm 137. Since Jesus is our Rock, use this psalm to pray for the conversion of the children of abortionists. Whenever a merchant of death (someone who gets rich by killing other people's kids, or by advocating open season on them) makes a public pronouncement, ask God to bring that evil person's children into direct contact with Jesus. I expect, for example, that the children of many politicians will grow up to be mighty in the land, Christians of renown -- and firmly pro-life.
And, of course, God can always destroy His enemies by turning them into His friends. It's not our place, however, to tell God just how He must answer our imprecatory prayers -- but it is our place to pray them, corporately. In some situations, the elders of the church may need to use these prayers privately. In Canada, for example, certain "human rights" commissioners are shutting down Christian ministries and messages as "hate crimes." These tyrants need to be brought to God's attention.
The Church is the ultimate center of earthly political power, since we can deal directly with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords -- the ultimate Boss of those who consider themselves to be lords over us. In Revelation 5, the souls of saints in glory consider it holy to call down God's judgment upon His enemies, and ours. And are we holier than them? Are we wiser than God? Should we tolerate things He hates? Or should we, as His people, bring matters to His attention, using His own words to frame our prayers?
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The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Imprecatory Prayer - 8/8/2008 12:47:43 PM
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crankius
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
As far as the church, it appears that they have this corporate prayer once a month. What struck me about it was the graphic they use. It's basically a very angry child or young person with a stream of fire coming from his mouth. It kind of creeped me out and I discovered it was a link by accident. When I clicked on it it took me to the imprecatory prayer page. http://www.amarillomore.org/ministries.htm
That picture is creepy!!!!
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Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
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