45 Biblical Reasons Why You Should Not Pray Against Human Enemies

By Gavin Aleogho

The core value of Christianity is LOVE. Love should be the platform from which everything should be done in the Christian faith; whether it’s preaching, praying, relating, living or whatever; because love is the greatest and God is love (1 John 4:8, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Galatians 5:6).

When you put that into perspective, especially in the aspect of prayer, you will observe that many things are not being done right, especially in the African Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches. The ‘Fathers of faith’ who supposed to know better are playing ignorant to this aspect of the application of love in prayers by bluntly turning the instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ (who should be our primary example) upside down.

‘Ministers of God’ pray and lead their members to pray contrary to the instructions of our Master Jesus. They organize vigils, revivals, teachings and also writing books and articles on subjects that have to do with praying against human enemy. Thousands of flyers and billboards like: “Your enemy must die”, “Night of Blood”, “Night of Vengeance”, “Burial of my destiny Enemies”, “Every witch must die”, “Operation point and kill”, “The enemies in my house must die” and many others are indications of how deep we are getting things wrong.

I must quickly reiterate here again that I believe in warfare prayers targeted not at any human but against the host of the devil (Ephesians 6:12). Definitely, people would declare themselves or become enemies to us whether knowingly or unknowingly. But from our own side, no man should be viewed as our enemy, rather, we should see them as the image of God. Therefore, we should never wish or pray evil against anybody simply because we thought they are bad, while we are good or righteous.

Ironically, Churches, Christians and Ministers of God today are blindly turning against the instructions of Christ our Lord, and throwing into the trash, His instructions to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44-48). 

Here are 45 biblical reasons why such prayers are wrong:

1. Jesus Christ is our Lord, Saviour, Model and our Example NOT any Old Testament figure. Hebrews 12:2. 1 Peter 2:21-25
2. Jesus Christ is the Word of God and the fulfillment of the Old Testament, His instruction supersedes any person before Him and after Him. John 1:1, 14. Matthew 5:17. 
3. Jesus Christ commanded that we pray for our enemies not against them. Matthew 5:43
4. Our Lord Jesus commanded that we bless those that curses us. Matthew 5:44.
5. We are in the New Testament where Christ instructs us to love our enemies. Matthews 5:44.
   
6. We are not in the Old Testament where the law of “tooth for a tooth” holds. Matthew 5:38-42.
7. Jesus came to seek and save (not to kill and destroy) those (including your enemies) that are lost in witchcraft, occultism, etc. Luke 19:9-11. Luke 5:32.
8. Jesus Christ our example did not pray against those that crucified Him. He prayed God to forgive them. Luke 23:34.
9. Praying against enemies is not outlined in the Lord’s prayer rather, having mercy was spoken about there. Matthew 6:9-13.
10. The law and instruction of Jesus Christ supersedes the law or instructions from any Old Testament figure like Moses, David, Elijah and the rest. Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 3:1-6.
11. Prayer against enemies is an Old Testament practice that has been done away with. 2 Corinthians 3:7.
12. Prayer against enemies is not an acceptable New Testament prayer. Romans 12:19-21, Matthew 5:38-48.
13. The gospel of Christ is the gospel of Love not hatred. 1 John 3:14-15.
14. Vengeance against enemies is God’s prerogative not ours. Romans 12:19-21.
15. Prayer against enemies negate the law of love that we operate by in the New Testament. 1 John 4:20-21
16. Prayer against enemies is the way of unbelievers not the way of Christ followers. Matthews 5:46
17. The early Christians and Apostles did not pray against their enemies.
18. Stephen a New Testament apostle showed us an example even till his death. Acts 7:59-60.
19. Praying against enemies contradicts the love we are expected to show as Christ representatives. 1 John 3:14-15.
20. The downfall of the wicked should never be our joy. Proverbs 24:17.
21. God does not wish that any man should perish because of my prayer. 2 Peter 3:9.
22. We can’t use the same mouth to bless God and curse or pray against any man. James 3:10.
23. Prayer against enemies will create in you a hatred mentality and makes you unnecessarily suspicious of things and people. James 3:14-16.
24. You can’t pray against enemies and still walk in love (God). 1 John 3:14-15.
25. We are people of love, compassion and mercy not people of vengeance. 1 Peter 3:8-15
26. God does not answer such prayer because it is not praying according to the will of God.  It is praying amiss. 1 John 5:14-15.
27. God’s ways are not ours. Jonah wanted God to kill the wicked people of Nineveh but God decided to spare them. Jonah 4:1-2.
28. Praying against enemies is lack of faith in God’s word that “no evil will not come near you.” Proverbs 12:21, Psalms 91:10.
29. There is no difference between you and your enemies if you wish them the same evil they wish you. Luke 6:32.
30. It is believing in the enemies’ ability to hurt that necessitates praying against them. Job 3:25.
31. Prayer against enemies might lead you to hell. Revelation 22:18-19.
32. We should have faith in God’s ability to protect than the enemies’ ability to hurt. 1 Corinthians 15:57. 2 Corinthians 2:14.
33. We should have more faith in what God has made us than what the devil can do. 1 John 4:4. Ephesians 2:6.
34. We are already above the enemies and their powers. Luke 10:19
35. We are already more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37
36. No man can harm me if I’m following what is good. 1 Peter 3:13
37. It is gain to the Kingdom of God when they are saved than when they die and go to hell. Luke 15:7.
38. Showing love to your enemies will make God to keep you save from their evil with a reward. Proverbs 25:21-22.
39. If you believe in “suffer not a witch to live” (Exodus 22:18), then you have to apply every instruction that is in that passage and in the law. 
40. Remember that the law of Moses speaks of killing witches physically not spiritually. Can you physically kill a witch and expect not to face the law of the land or face the eternal judgement of God?
41. Our ambition to prosper does not warrant anybody dying. For God blesses His Children even in the midst of their enemies. Psalms 23:5.
42. The battlefield of life is primarily in our mind, not with anybody. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
43. Our battle is spiritual not against humans that has flesh and blood. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
44. Our primary focus is to crumble the powers behind the wicked and not the human being that is been used ignorantly. 2 Corinthians 10:3, Ephesians 6:12.
    
45. Anybody can decide to be enemy to us. But we are not permitted to be enemies to anybody, rather, we are instructed to live in peace, love and honour all men irrespective of whether they are enemies to us or not. 1 Peter 2:17, Hebrews 12:14.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”. 1 Peter 3:8-15.

For question or clarity on this topic, please feel free to send me an email (gavin4peace@yahoo.com). I will be pleased to discuss with you. 

Blessings