Is it sinful to pray for an evil person’s death?

Brother, I was using church discipline as an example of how the church should deal with sin in the camp. The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession does not address imprecatory prayers against evildoers. Based on all the discussions in this thread, I believe the best we can do is pray for God to restrain evil and evil-doers by whatever means He deems necessary.

 

Better to pray for this person's salvation, rather than their death. Leave justice in God's hands. He will deal with it in a manner that is consistent with His righteousness. Praying for someone's death implies that you have already sentenced this person to death and want God to do what you think He should do. That is not the purpose of prayer and none of us are fit to decide who should or should not die. Imagine if God had killed the Apostle Paul instead of confronting him on the road to Damascus?

 

Yes its God's decision - He chose differently with Ananias and Sapphira than Paul.

So yes pray that the evil person be saved or made unable to do evil of his/her particular brand.

Although in Acts chapter 4 the apostles did not pray for the evil against them to stop but that they may be made bold to speak in Jesus name which got them in trouble with the religious leaders in the first place.

 

The same thing could have been said of Paul and God changed him.

 

1 Peter 3

8To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.


She is a victim too. Could have been brought up abusively. You might be the closest thing to a parent she has in her life. We do evil things motivated by fear and ignorance.

Praying for her to drop dead only makes you start to submit to the same evil she is under already.

You can't say for sure you would do better in her shoes under her conditions.
The objective is always to "DESTROY the Evil" But it means freeing the sinner from their sin.

Try being kind, get walked all over even, but safe-guard the helpless.


Now if she is your BOSS, yes those get picked out specifically from the 9 layer of hell to sharpen you up. jk

Everyone got pain, just some folks better at hiding it than others.

I guarantee, PROMISE, if you knew her life story you'd be like "OH ......that's why", and there would not be a anger around to fault her, you'd take a more approach of pity.


If you ever want a good indicator how much you love God, its as much as that person you hate most.

Matthew 25

40“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

 

I think such a prayer is an error. Pray for them to stop whatever wicked thing they're doing, pray for God's will to be done, pray for them to see the truth, that the scales over their eyes and plugged ears be opened. But to pray for their death, is akin to praying for their eternal suffering in hell.

Who God justly send away, is good and right, but if they would only believe, they would be grafted in... if they would only believe, they would turn towards the Lord and follow. Why wouldn't you want that? Is that not what our Lord taught? Pray for that, and if death finds them before they believe, so be it.

 

The answer is we should never pray for the death of evil doers. We are to pray for those who persecute us. Christ died for all mankind, including those heading for "swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1-2.

Mat 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

 

How is that mirroring the example of our Lord?

 

As a young man, I was just like that. I delighted in getting a rise out of people, mocking them and belittling them, doing damage to their relationships just for fun.

 

Okay?

 

Obviously I can't speak for her, but for me I was a nice kid, who was bullied and turned into a bully until my life fell apart and I finally stopped riding a fence and went all in.

 

"She was brought up well... spoiled in fact"

Your telling me she was not brought up well, spoiled in fact.

That is a child of God. Cursing is a sin.

By what estimation you figure she destroyed lives? Money-wise? If she is killing people there are laws against it, If she is stealing there are laws against it.


"have met Him face to face, eye to eye and explained to Him my experiences with her and how I’ve seen her destroy others lives just because she could."

Who?

Have you tried the Gospel?

If she is completely evil that's the best treasure around. A far greater appreciation and gratitude when you snap out of it.


Before you blame her. I wan't you to know its my fault first. So anything bad you have planned you can send it my way instead.

The Lord knows I could have set a good example enough to change her heart, But I haven't.