Why It Is Never Right For You To Pray That Your Enemies Fall and Die Today

A common practice in so many Nigerian and African churches in general,is the prayer of “my enemies fall and die!”

In case you are not familiar with this sort of prayer probably because you are reading this from outside the continent, “fall and die” prayers actually have to do with the “sending of Holy Ghost fire, earthquakes, thunder, rainfall etc. to kill and destroy one’s enemies (mostly witches and wizards) and evil spirits.”

The prayer is often targeted at “wicked” uncles, aunts, neighbours, colleagues, mothers, fathers, herbalists, old men and women in villages who do not take pleasure in seeing other people succeed in life.

Sometimes it is also targeted at politicians, leaders and even business people who oppose the spread of the Gospel and “exchange people’s destinies” for money.

This type of prayer is seriously backed up by the belief that there are people who must die before you can ever be successful in life and so you need to pray for this to happen as soon as possible with all your strength. Like a wounded Lion, you must be very violent when praying these fall and die prayers.

The shocking thing is, the two most popular scriptures proponents of such prayers always put their feet on has little or nothing to do with their usage today. The first is Matt.11:12.

(Mat 11:12)  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Is this verse asking you to be violent in prayer and take your destiny by force? Well to understand what it is saying, let us read it from another translation.

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. Matt.11:12 NIV

The verse is simply saying from the time John the Baptist started preaching the kingdom of God has been forcefully advancing on the earth as men have by faith been taking hold of it. It has nothing to do with prayers, let alone violent ones.

The other scripture used to promote these “fall and die” prayers is the passage that describes how Elijah killed King Ahaziah’s soldiers by commanding physical fire to come out from nowhere and consume them.

(2Ki 1:9)  Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men; and he went up to him where he was seated on the top of a hill, and said to him, O man of God, the king has said, Come down.

(2Ki 1:10)  And Elijah in answer said to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven on you and on your fifty men, and put an end to you. Then fire came down from heaven and put an end to him and his fifty men.

(2Ki 1:11)  Then the king sent another captain of fifty with his fifty men; and he said to Elijah, O man of God, the king says, Come down quickly.

(2Ki 1:12)  And Elijah in answer said, If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven on you and on your fifty men, and put an end to you. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and put an end to him and his fifty men.

What most people do not know is that although fire actually appeared and destroyed those soldiers, it wasn’t God’s best. God was never pleased with it. He is never pleased with the death of the wicked.

(Eze 18:23)  Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

(Eze 18:32)  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Under the dispensation that Elijah lived in, the knowledge of God and His modules operandi was very very limited. So folks in those days said and did things according to their level of knowledge that were contrary to what God would have them do.

This was part of the reason God became flesh in His Son Jesus to give us a perfect representation of His true nature, will and character. Ending an era of attributing evil, death and destruction to Him. This is so clear in that in the face of the strongest opposition Jesus never killed but healed and restored life to His enemies.

(Heb 1:1)  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

(Heb 1:2)  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

(Heb 1:3)  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

So in Christ’s dealing with man, we see the true nature of God. In His words, Jesus puts it this way.

(Joh 10:10)  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Just a little while after those words, He set out with His disciples to Jerusalem for a preaching engagement and the Samaritans would not allow Him to pass through their city because they were not at peace with the Jews.

When His disciple saw what was happening, they got so upset they wanted to call down fire to consume the Samaritans who were their enemies and enemies of the Gospel at that moment. But what did Jesus do? Let’s see it together from the scriptures.

(Luk 9:51)  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

(Luk 9:52)  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

(Luk 9:53)  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

(Luk 9:54)  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?

(Luk 9:55)  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

(Luk 9:56)  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Verse 55 said Jesus REBUKED them for even having that thought alone. The word “rebuked” in that verse is not like when you softly tell your son, “Son don’t do this again.” No, it’s a very strong word. It is used almost the same way it is used to say Jesus rebuked demons. Very strongly.

He was very serious about them not imitating Elijah in this manner at all. And in verse 56 we see His reasons clearly.

(Luk 9:56)  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them….

In praying for those in authority and for all men in general, Paul gives us a guideline.

(1Ti 2:1)  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

(1Ti 2:2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

(1Ti 2:3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

(1Ti 2:4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

God would have all men (including your village people. LOL) be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. He doesn’t want anyone perishing.

Some say it is not the human beings they are praying to die but the evil spirits behind their wickedness. Like seriously? Spirits don’t die! Even if they do, it is not within your authority biblically to kill them. Only God can and that’s why He made Hell, their place of eternal death.

The Bible said believers should cast them out, not kill them in the name of Jesus.

(Mar 16:17)  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Be humble and remain within the confines of the scriptures and stop making Christianity look like a joke with those extra-Biblical practices or those not permitted for the man in Christ today.

I hope this blesses you.

Glory to God!