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RJR_fan -> RE: Imprecatory Prayer (8/8/2008 3:16:13 AM)
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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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