‘Missions’ is a big deal in the Christian community of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The program ran for four days and was power-packed. Music ministers like Theophilus Sunday and Kaestrings were present. Word ministers, blessed with wisdom from the Almighty, also graced the event.
I only attended one of the programs. I was overwhelmed with schoolwork and had deadlines to meet, so attending more sessions was difficult.
During my time at the program, the word minister came onto the podium and began speaking about how, as young believers, we ought to pray: not just pray, but ask the Almighty to usher us into our divine calling.
At many points during the sermon, he prayed against our enemies. Prayers like ‘any evil altar… Holy Ghost fire!’ echoed through the church compound, and sometimes it was not just ‘Holy Ghost fire’ but ‘die by fire!’
And I wondered if these requests truly align with God’s word.
These enemies we confidently ask the Almighty to kill and destroy– aren’t they humans too?
Aren’t they the Almighty’s creation?
His children?
Does He not love them?
At no point during the early days of my formation as a believer was I taught to pray for the death of my enemies. I was taught instead to pray for the Almighty’s protection and for divine guidance against the evil of the world.
I was never taught to wish death upon another piece of the Almighty’s creation. Rather, I was taught to love them.
If I pray for their death, how am I different from them?
To them, I might be the evil after their existence, just as they are the evil after mine.
So doesn’t that make us the same?
Yes, we kneel before different altars, but our intentions towards each other are similar– to cause harm.
In the Holy Book, it is never recorded that Jesus Christ prayed for the death or destruction of the Pharisees. He also never taught us vengeful prayers.
If we truly follow Christ’s teachings, then praying for the harm of others contradicts His example.
As he said in Matthew 5:44: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
He reminds us that our prayers should not focus on destruction, but on love, mercy, and the hope that even those who oppose us may find redemption.
‘…lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
He taught us instead to pray for protection.
Instead of praying for their downfall, why not pray for their redemption?
The effect of that prayer is the same as the effect of their death or destruction.
And instead of spending hours praying for rain of fire and brimstone upon their household, why not pray for the fortification of yourself?
If we focus on ourselves during our communication with the Almighty, I believe we would gain more.
Perhaps true victory over an enemy is not their destruction, but the preservation of our own hearts from hatred.
If prayer changes anything, maybe the first thing it should change is us