Featured Is it Right to Pray for Justice and Vengeance?

I can definitely relate, and reading through the Psalms, it seems we are in good company. Now, I don't recall praying for vengeance, per se. But in all things, God's will be done.

 

I have seen God's wrath on those who have persecuted me over the years. But it means trusting him to deal with the persecutors and staying out of it. Some might say, "oh well, they just died early of natural causes." But if you believe God controls all, it is easy to see his wrath in those who persecute you and other believers.

“Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19–21) (NET)

 

There are actually two basic questions here:
(1) Is it okay and honorable that I want to call down God's justice and vengeance upon others?
Sometime yes, often no. The circumstances determine what is correct. As Rob pointed out, the Psalms show a number of prayers/songs along this line.

(2) Can I trust God enough to pray honestly and earnestly, knowing that God will do what is appropriate with my requests, as well as work within me to bring my heart in line with His?
Yes, absolutely.

 

I do believe however we can bring our case before the LORD showing those who are unjustly persecuting us or speaking lies and leaving it in his hands.

I would say however there is a line that can be crossed and then it becomes a matter of prayer for resolution and even perhaps a legal matter of libel, slander and/or defamation of character.

 

When Jesus prayed "Father forgive them" I think it sent me in that direction. I pity the lost but realize they are conjuring up wrath fro themselves apart from me asking for it. But I can see it your way too. The martyrs in Revelation ask how long until God visits his wrath on their murderers.

 

I thought Christian persecution is common to all who follow Christ. Perhaps a testimony section where others might join in too?

 

“Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) (NET)

 

My experience with this scripture is different from yours. Proving that we can both experience the same scripture in different ways. I know this, the carnally minded crowd I once ran in, hates me until this day. Why? The carnal mind is enmity against God. People do not hate those who think like them.

 

I think if we surround ourselves with Christians and work for Christians, we insulate ourselves from persecution. Many come up in sheltered environments and remain in them through bible college and into the pulpit. But dragging Jesus' cross along with you in the pagan workplace can present some real tests of faith. Especially in upper management when your work orders run against the grain of Christ from start to finish. You can expect demotion, loss of wages, threats of replacement, segregation, and ongoing intimidation. There are other forms of persecution when going against the government (Kim Davis, the Christian Bakers, Conscientious Objectors, etc.,) when they try to force you to comply under threat of law and imprisonment. So sheltered is good, but we cannot use it as a standard for persecution when others pay many dues following Christ on a daily basis.

 

If you are viewing the nonsense of the Liberal Movement and Agenda as persecution, I'm going to have to say I think your imprecations should cease:


Luke 9:54-56
King James Version (KJV)

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.


Pray rather that God move in their hearts.

Our efforts should always be for the purpose of men being saved, not damned.

Even Liberals.




God bless.

 

I'm not looking for persecution. I'm only saying the Christian can expect it in the workplace. The Disciples did not go looking for it, it found them and hunted them down.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) (KJV 1900)

 

Pray that God's will be done, and pray for our enemies.

This is very difficult,

But remember that sin--all sins--fall into one of two binary categories.

If the person that sins against you is subsequently saved and repents, then his sin (along with yours and mine!) is nailed to the cross and covered by the Blood.

If not...God has that sorted in the proper time, at the proper place and in the proper measure.