Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him reprove me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.--- Psalm 141:5
If asked whether they consider prayer a "weapon", most folks would probably say that they don't regard the practice of prayer in that manner. To these prayer is mainly the issue of making confession, submitting petitions to God for help and seeking blessings with perhaps a little thanksgiving thrown in here and there. But viewing prayer as a weapon with visions of warfare is more than a bit of a stretch!
But here is how it is:
We live in a world that is dominated by a spirit that is hostile to God and this hostility is greatly intensified when it comes to His Son, Jesus Christ, Whom He sent into the world to redeem every human being from his/her sins. Every human being ever born into world comes under the scope of God's love and mercy, but at the present time the vast majority has chosen to reject that love.
God has revealed much about the practice of prayer, recorded numerous experiences people have had in prayer, and urged those who claim to have faith in Him to engage in the disciplined exercise of praying.
And since the Christian life is described at times as being engaged in warfare, it stands to reason that one of the weapons available in fighting this war is that of prayer!
Psalm 2:1-5 provides a graphic backdrop and reminds us that we are in a vicious conflict with the souls of human beings at stake. Notice it is the governing authorities that are at war with God because of attitude and at the present time those who head up the United States federal government more than fit the description given in the opening statements of the Psalm:
Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure..."
Consider some examples:
Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." But You have seen it, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none. The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more. --- Psalm 10:12-18
Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?" --- Psalm 12:1-4 [Note: we see the aforementioned attitude as being on display constantly in Washington DC by elected officials in high places, hence the need to pray that God will deal with it in His way and time!]
Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me. --- Psalm 35:23-26
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down; they have dug a pit before me; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah --- Psalm 57:5, 6
There are numerous other statements in the Psalms which have to do with praying against the wicked, even those who sit in high places of power and influence. While there is much talk of the impact of ObamaCare on the republic and the change that may come about during the elections this coming November, don't wait for some political "process" to take place, but be praying now "against the deeds of the wicked" and all who leading our nation on a path toward sure and certain destruction!
Clean off the rust and start using that weapon! "Return upon their heads the fruits of their deeds, O Lord!"
LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. Do not gather my soul together with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands is a sinister scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the LORD.
--- Psalm 26:8-12
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