A Peculiar Prayer for the Persecuted
by Christopher Hendrix
The fires of persecution burn hot in our world today. A false notion exists among many evangelicals that the age of martyrdom has passed. However, more of our brothers and sisters have died in our modern world than in the ancient, with no signs of letting up. Actually, persecution continues to ramp up. The World Watch Research has documented more attacks and deaths in places like Sub-Sahara Africa, North Africa, India, the Middle East, Nicaragua, and North Korea. [1] The furnace blazes as persecution consumes Christians.
Western Evangelicals tend to respond in a few ways to this reality, some positively and some negatively. Negative ways include feeling guilty for what we have. However, this ignores the fact that God acts providentially. Anyone of us could have been born in a persecuted context, but God chose to give us life in the free West (though these freedoms are quickly fading!). Everything we have, from our freedoms to our possessions, are gifts from God that we steward. Another negative way includes turning a blind eye to the stories and reports that come our way. James 2:15–17 condemns this action by questioning the authenticity of the faith of the neglector.
A variety of positive reactions can be said. God's people throughout the ages have demonstrated creativity in serving their brothers and sisters in persecution. Some Christians can engage in negotiations, politics, financial means, etc. However, all Christians are called to pray for the persecuted believers. We pray for strength and endurance to live faithfully despite persecution. We pray for the relief and ability to worship the Lord Jesus Christ freely and without hindrance. We pray for the persecutors to repent and turn to Christ. We pray for the situation to change for the betterment of society and peace. However, have you considered praying the imprecatory Psalms?
Psalm 69 is one such Psalm that comes into existence through David's persecution. While the background of David's enemies' attacks is uncertain, his cry paints the picture of oppression. The Psalm declares a dependency upon the Lord's Sovereign hand, a recognition of God's omniscience, a reliance upon the Lord's mercy, and a comfort because of God's loyal love. However, where most Christians struggle comes in verses 22–28. In this section, most breeze past it, chalk it up to 'Old Testament' language and think this part isn't for the Christian. But, in doing so, we miss the consolation of God's justice. We miss the opportunity to express our anger righteously. We forego the chance to plead for God's righteous judgment to come to the Christian's enemies. These powerful prayers ask the Lord to intervene and should not be approached whimsically or glibly.
“When we understand sin rightly, then it should lead us to hate it as God does and desire its demise. ”
Derek Thomas gives several points to consider when praying an imprecatory Psalm. [2]First, these prayers are always done with self-control. They never occur from a loss of emotional control. Second, these prayers aren't vindictive but seek vindication. They don't arise out of a desire for revenge. Third, they align with Jesus's promises that He gave in the Gospels. For example, Luke 20:17–18 says, But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him." Jesus has promised his wrath towards the wicked, and their rejection of the Gospel will bring their demise. Fourth, this prayer stems from a zeal for the Lord. David reveals his zealousness for the Lord's glory in Psalm 69. In turn, he is horrified at the wickedness and evil of his enemies. Do we balk at these prayers because we lack the horror of sin? When we understand sin rightly, then it should lead us to hate it as God does and desire its demise. Fifth, imprecatory prayers aren't typically aimed at an individual but a class of people. A group of people who do evil make up the crosshairs of the prayer. Sixth, these prayers come after a prolonged and sustained attack from those who refuse to repent. This type of prayer doesn't just happen in one or even a few instances. It's a response to something that has taken place for a while. During this time, the enemies refuse to repent and continue to bombard God's people. Finally, God's kingdom does not come without the destruction of Satan's kingdom. When someone comes to salvation, they are brought from darkness to light. They are rescued from the clutches of Satan and placed in the hands of Christ. Satan's kingdom takes a hit, and Christ builds his own kingdom.
So then, let us apply imprecatory Psalms. These won't constitute your daily prayers, but they are appropriate for times of attack by God's enemies. One way to use these include towards the enemies of our persecuted brothers and sisters. We can come alongside them and plead for the Lord's justice to reign over the enemies of God. Praying imprecatorily (a newly coined word!) brings us alongside our fellow Christians in the fight to live peacefully with all men and worship the true King. These are peculiar prayers but God-honoring prayers for the persecuted.
[1] https://www.opendoors.org/research-reports/wwl-documentation/WWL-2024-Summary-of-trends.pdf
[2]Derek Thomas's Sermon on Psalm 69: https://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?subsetitem=Dr.%20Derek%20W.%20H.%20Thomas&subsetcat=speaker&keyword=psalm&BibleOnly=true&chapter=69&verse=0&includekeywords=&ExactVerse=