Lord, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud. 9 Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. 10 Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. 11 Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent. 12 But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor. 13 Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence. Psalms 140:7-13 (NLT)
King David, a man who knew and understood God’s heart, was not timid about asking for God to intervene in behalf of God’s people and for the sake of righteousness.
While it is very important for us to realize that sometimes God allows his people to suffer at the hands of tyrannical rulers, it is never a good thing for evil to triumph.
When we pray for divine judgment, it is vital that we temper our prayers with mercy because we all need it. We should always be careful to forgive and pray “for” our enemies that they might be saved. In addition, we can and should pray according to basic principles of righteousness, asking God to intervene in behalf of his people against wickedness in government and in the public arena. Only God knows who among our enemies is capable of repenting and who is not. Let him be the final arbiter of justice and mercy.
Prayer
Lord, I pray for my government, as Paul commanded us. I pray that you will work through our leaders to provide just government to our nation. Lord, you are sovereign in power and overflowing in mercy. You know that evil people are scheming and working to accomplish their plans at the expense of those who love your name because they hate you and your rule.
Do not let their evil plans succeed. Work things so that their plans turn out to be a blessing for your people and for your glory instead. Let the plans of evil people backfire. Do something creative and entirely unexpected by the perpetrators of evil. Let truth prevail and liars be exposed. Uncover the hidden things of darkness so that truth wins.
In the midst of your judgments, have mercy on us and all those who are willing to repent. Open our enemies’ hearts to believe the Gospel. Strengthen those of your people who are suffering persecution for your sake around the world. Have mercy on the persecutors. Bring justice to the poor and oppressed. Let your people always be praising you, no matter what. Amen.
