It is reported that Mary, Queen of Scots, once said, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” The very thought, fearful prayers!

Yet in the Old Testament there is a man whose prayers were feared! Elijah the Prophet, by name. The man was courageous in prayer! He prayed down … into oblivion … many of God’s enemies!

I use one major example from his life. Elijah had sent “bad news”…  certain “judgment” from God was about to fall upon the wicked King of Samaria (Israel). Ahaziah was seeking the counsel of an idol, a heathen god at the time. “Baalzebub” the god of Ekron, to be precise.

Well, Elijah was sought everywhere. And when located … a war party was dispatched immediately! This Prophet must be annihilated, killed.

All because of a Sermon Elijah had preached, a scathing rebuke to the King for his idolatry! “The angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?” 2nd Kings 1:3-4

The war was on!

Ahaziah versus Elijah!

Evil versus good!

Since King Ahaziah was physically incapacitated (due to a fall) he dispatched a group of fifty soldiers to “deal” with Elijah. Here’s the Bible account:

“Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.” 2nd Kings 1:9

Knowing their “intent,” Eljah prayed a four word prayer!

“And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then LET FIRE COME DOWN from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.” 2nd Kings 1:10

Prayed … answered!

Safe again!

Now you know what I mean, a prayer of judgment!

But the King sent another war party!

This demand is even more stringent! Not just “Come down,” old man … but “Come down quickly!” Let’s read it: “Again also he (King Ahaziah) sent unto him (Elijah) another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down QUICKLY.” 2nd Kings 1:11

Wow, Elijah launches another prayer!

Typical to the character of this Man of God!

“And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, LET FIRE COME DOWN from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.” 2nd Kings 1:12

And soon … just as Elijah had prophesied, the unrighteous King was dead!

But also, needlessly, so were a hundred of his men, his soldiers.

Elijah … praying against the enemies of God!

It’s called “imprecatory” prayer.

And the Bible is full of such righteous pleading!

Pray today … that God would rebuke the devil.

That Jesus would “come again!” As in “Thy Kingdom come!”

That’s a prayer (indirectly) for God to judge the rebelliously wicked!

And fire may not come down … but the promised judgment of God will, without fail.

Some day.

In this same line of thought, pray AGAINST the dope dealer who would destroy the life of your child or grandchild! Against the sexual predator who would molest your Wife! Against the liberal (progressive?) theologian who would destroy the Truth about your Savior!

“LET FIRE COME DOWN!”

If you don’t believe me, read Psalm 58. Then read Psalm 83, a powerful prayer for judgment against all Israel’s enemies!

Prayer as a weapon!

Think about it.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell