Shayla: What are imprecatory prayers

Shayla: What are imprecatory prayers? What role do curses play in the believer’s life? May we pray curses? Can a Christian be a victim of a curse?

Meforshim:

An imprecatory prayer is when prayer is used to invoke a curse. David repeatedly did this.

Psalms 5:10 HCSB Punish them, God; let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them out because of their many crimes, for they rebel against You.
Psalms 11:5-7 HCSB The LORD examines the righteous and the wicked. He hates the lover of violence. (6) He will rain burning coals and sulfur on the wicked; a scorching wind will be their portion. (7) For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteous deeds. The upright will see His face.
Psalms 17:13 HCSB Rise up, LORD! Confront him; bring him down. With Your sword, save me from the wicked.
Psalms 35:1-8 HCSB Davidic. Oppose my opponents, LORD; fight those who fight me. (2) Take Your shields--large and small--and come to my aid. (3) Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers, and assure me: "I am your deliverance." (4) Let those who seek to kill me be disgraced and humiliated; let those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed. (5) Let them be like husks in the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away. (6) Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. (7) They hid their net for me without cause; they dug a pit for me without cause. (8) Let ruin come on him unexpectedly, and let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it--to his ruin.

Note: I personally find verses 5-6 to be a couple of the most terrifying verses in the Bible! David was definitely on a roll when he prayed that curse.

Psalms 35:26-27 HCSB Let those who rejoice at my misfortune be disgraced and humiliated; let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and reproach. (27) Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, "The LORD be exalted, who wants His servant's well-being."
Psalms 55:9-15 HCSB Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city; (10) day and night they make the rounds on its walls. Crime and trouble are within it; (11) destruction is inside it; oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace. (12) Now, it is not an enemy who insults me--otherwise I could bear it; it is not a foe who rises up against me--otherwise I could hide from him. (13) But it is you, a man who is my peer, my companion and good friend! (14) We used to have close fellowship; we walked with the crowd into the house of God. (15) Let death take them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, because evil is in their homes and within them.
Psalms 59:10-13 HCSB My faithful God will come to meet me; God will let me look down on my adversaries. (11) Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget. By Your power, make them homeless wanderers and bring them down, Lord, our shield. (12) The sin of their mouths is the word of their lips, so let them be caught in their pride. They utter curses and lies. (13) Consume them in rage; consume them until they are gone. Then they will know to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
Psalms 69:22-28 HCSB Let their table set before them be a snare, and let it be a trap for their allies. (23) Let their eyes grow too dim to see, and let their loins continually shake. (24) Pour out Your rage on them, and let Your burning anger overtake them. (25) Make their fortification desolate; may no one live in their tents. (26) For they persecute the one You struck and talk about the pain of those You wounded. (27) Add guilt to their guilt; do not let them share in Your righteousness. (28) Let them be erased from the book of life and not be recorded with the righteous.
Psalms 109:6-15 HCSB Set a wicked person over him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. (7) When he is judged, let him be found guilty, and let his prayer be counted as sin. (8) Let his days be few; let another take over his position. (9) Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. (10) Let his children wander as beggars, searching for food far from their demolished homes. (11) Let a creditor seize all he has; let strangers plunder what he has worked for. (12) Let no one show him kindness, and let no one be gracious to his fatherless children. (13) Let the line of his descendants be cut off; let their name be blotted out in the next generation. (14) Let his forefathers' guilt be remembered before the LORD, and do not let his mother's sin be blotted out. (15) Let their sins always remain before the LORD, and let Him cut off all memory of them from the earth.
Psalms 137:7-9 HCSB Remember, LORD, what the Edomites said that day at Jerusalem: "Destroy it! Destroy it down to its foundations!" (8) Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who pays you back what you have done to us. (9) Happy is he who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rocks.
Psalms 140:8-11 HCSB LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let them achieve their goals. Otherwise, they will become proud. Selah (9) As for the heads of those who surround me, let the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them. (10) Let hot coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into the abyss, never again to rise. (11) Do not let a slanderer stay in the land. Let evil relentlessly hunt down a violent man.

Many people avoid these Psalms. Some even believe that they are not inspired by God because it does not fit their view of a kind and loving God. However, let’s review shall we? Is this not the God who drowned humanity because they displeased Him?

Genesis 6:5-7 HCSB When the LORD saw that man's wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, (6) the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. (7) Then the LORD said, "I will wipe off the face of the earth: man, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky--for I regret that I made them."

Is He not the one who confounded the languages of mankind and spread confusion among them when they went against His will and tried to keep from scattering? How many wars have been fought since due to differences of language, culture and race?

Genesis 9:1 HCSB God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
Genesis 11:4 HCSB And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
Genesis 11:7-8 HCSB Come, let Us go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another's speech." (8) So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city.

Is the Holy Spirit not the One who said:

Proverbs 1:24-32 HCSB Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, (25) since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, (26) I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, (27) when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. (28) Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will search for me, but won't find me. (29) Because they hated knowledge, didn't choose to fear the LORD, (30) were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, (31) they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes. (32) For the waywardness of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

Many cultural Christians believe that David’s imprecatory prayers run contrary to the Master’s teachings. They take Jesus’ words in His teaching on the treatment of enemies to mean that we can never say a cross word to them or oppose them.

Matthew 5:43-44 HCSB "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. (44) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

In their view the only option Christians have is to smile sadly and say “God bless you.” However, Jesus Himself had the following to say to HIS enemies:

Matthew 23:13-19 HCSB "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don't go in, and you don't allow those entering to go in. (14) ["Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and make long prayers just for show. This is why you will receive a harsher punishment.] (15) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are! (16) "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.' (17) Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? (18) Also, 'Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.' (19) Blind people! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Matthew 23:23-33 HCSB "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. (24) Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel! (25) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence! (26) Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so the outside of it may also become clean. (27) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every impurity. (28) In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (29) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, (30) and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn't have taken part with them in shedding the prophets' blood.' (31) You therefore testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. (32) Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' sins! (33) "Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned to hell?

We need to be careful that the god we are worshipping is not one of our own making. We must take the Lord God on His own terms. Not glorifying Him as He is will lead to some pretty foolish thinking.

Romans 1:21 HCSB For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened.

Our God’s name is Nathan N’Qamah. He is our Avenger. When we cannot personally or directly act against our enemies, Who better to turn to for justice?

Deuteronomy 32:35-36 HCSB (35) Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly." (36) The LORD will indeed vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one is left--slave or free.
Deuteronomy 32:39-43 HCSB (39) See now that I alone am He; there is no God but Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal. No one can rescue anyone from My hand. (40) I raise My hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever, (41) when I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand takes hold of judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me. (42) I will make My arrows drunk with blood while My sword devours flesh--the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy leaders." (43) Rejoice, you nations, over His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants. He will take vengeance on His adversaries; He will purify His land and His people.
Psalms 18:47 HCSB God--He gives me vengeance and subdues peoples under me.
Psalms 94:1 HCSB LORD, God of vengeance--God of vengeance, appear.
Romans 12:19 HCSB Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 HCSB (6) since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, (7) and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, (8) taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Hebrews 10:30 HCSB For we know the One who has said, Vengeance belongs to Me, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge His people.

He is our God, our King, our Heavenly Father, our Shepherd. What God doesn’t intervene on His worshippers’ behalf? What King does not defend His people? What Father doesn’t avenge His children? What Shepherd does not kill wolves? This aspect of d’vekut is part and parcel of our covenantal relationship with Kadosh Yisra’el (the Holy One of Israel).

Psalms 5:2 HCSB Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to You.
Psalms 59:10 HCSB My faithful God will come to meet me; God will let me look down on my adversaries.

This is why He is called El G’mulah (God of Retribution/Reward). You cannot have a God who rewards the just without also having Him punish the wicked!

Isaiah 59:18 HCSB Thus He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and He will repay the coastlands.
Jeremiah 51:56 HCSB for a destroyer is coming against her, against Babylon. Her warriors will be captured, their bows shattered, for the LORD is a God of retribution; He will certainly repay.
Romans 2:6-11 HCSB He will repay each one according to his works: (7) eternal life to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; (8) but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth, but are obeying unrighteousness; (9) affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; (10) but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. (11) There is no favoritism with God.

God is a holy God and His holiness necessitates judgment of sin. He hates injustice and has repeatedly stated that He will work against those who practice it. When we pray imprecatory prayers against the wicked we are basically joining what Hashem is already doing and saying in essence “sic ‘em God!”

Psalms 5:6 HCSB You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors a man of bloodshed and treachery.
Psalms 11:5-7 HCSB The LORD examines the righteous and the wicked. He hates the lover of violence. (6) He will rain burning coals and sulfur on the wicked; a scorching wind will be their portion. (7) For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteous deeds. The upright will see His face.

We can do this knowing that Yahweh Mishpat (God of Justice) will never do anything wrong. We may ask but it is His prerogative to act as He wishes.

John 14:13-15 HCSB Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (15) "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Note: The prayer must be “in Jesus’ name.” This is more than simple, ritualistic name dropping. It means that the curse must be prayed because we sincerely believe that the object of our prayer being cursed will advance the Lord’s cause. It must be done for Jesus’ sake. Obviously that is going to drastically reduce the number of things we curse!

James 4:3 HCSB You ask and don't receive because you ask wrongly, so that you may spend it on your desires for pleasure.

Note: The prayer cannot be designed solely to benefit us. We cannot pray a curse on somebody because they irritate us and expect Yahweh Shaphat to jump to our whim.

John 15:7 HCSB If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.

Note: It is important that we note that our prayers must be in line with our relationship with God (and that is dependent upon obedience John 14:15, 21, 24) and further that it must be based upon His revealed Word. Only then will the prayer receive a positive answer.

1 John 5:14 HCSB Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Note: The prayer must be according to the Father’s will in order to receive approval.

Can the righteous be cursed? Wicked Balak son of Zippor asked the pagan prophet Balaam to put a curse on our people. However, because it was not within Hashem’s will, the attempt was repeatedly thwarted.

Numbers 22:6 HCSB Please come and put a curse on these people for me because they are more powerful than I am. I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed."

“Greater is He” that is in us than the one who is in the world, the Apostle John proclaimed.

1 John 4:4 HCSB You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The One in us is the Holy Spirit for we are the Spirit’s temple. The one who is in the world is the devil. With the Spirit installed in our heart’s throne room, we need fear no one.

Romans 8:14-16 HCSB All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons. (15) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!" (16) The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children,
Matthew 10:28 HCSB Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luke 12:4-5 HCSB "And I say to you, My friends, don't fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. (5) But I will show you the One to fear: Fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!

My advice is to fear the Lord. Fear Him and you need fear no one else.