After careful and prayerful consideration, I must take umbrage and exception to the article by Bob Allen of the Associated Baptist Press on page 18 of the June 18 edition of the Religious Herald, titled, “Former Southern Baptist Convention officer says he’s praying for President Obama’s death.”
To understand my disgust with the article is to have a clear understanding of the word “imprecatory” which literally means to curse someone. From the article, Wiley Drake is quoted as saying that based upon the president’s actions Mr. Drake is going to pray that the Lord takes the president’s life, in effect cursing him.
This action appears to be in direct conflict with Scriptures, especially in Luke 6:27 where Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you …. Bless those who curse you” (NIV). What Jesus is saying here is that your real enemy is never the person committing the act that you detest, thus we shouldn’t hate someone even if we disagree with them.
Paul goes a step further in Romans 12:14 when he said “bless those who curse you, bless and do not curse.” Thus how someone can curse and call it prayer in this way is very troubling. Is this the message you are trying to send?
Secondly, I’m very troubled by the statement, “If he doesn’t turn his life around and turn his life over to God I’m going to begin praying imprecatory prayers that are all over the Bible.” That, simply put, is a lie. The Bible does not contain cursing prayers for us to pray, and not once are we commanded to do so. In fact, John wrote that God wishes that none would perish, thus why would you pray for someone to spend an eternity in hell? This is the antithesis of the Bible, and I don’t think Mr. Drake really understands scripture and Jesus’ instructions to his followers or the example he set by his death on the cross.
President Obama serves God’s purpose, and we are commanded to pray for those in authority. You see President Obama has the same enemy we do, so even if we completely disagree with him, it is morally and ethically wrong and certainly not scriptural based to curse him or anybody for that matter.
James said that there is “life and death” in the tongue! These types of articles and beliefs are in fact “killing” those who believe and providing a road of exploitation for the Great Deceiver Satan to use.
I believe that you have provided a great disservice to those who believe and have undermined the authority of Scripture by publishing what amounts to “garbage” in a newsletter to Christian believers. Is it possible that you have allowed politics to influence your interpretation of Scripture and corrupt your Christian beliefs? Do not forget that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whomever believed would not die but have everlasting life. That is his wish for all of his creations. Who are we to curse what God has created and loves?
Michael F. Rusaw, Manassas