Can Someone Pray Against You? What Should I Do?

Rescued One

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I don't know where to post about spiritual warfare issues. I don't want to be superstitious (although it's embedded in my culture) but I've heard about people who pray against you.

For a long time, I've seen a pattern with a Christian brother (purely friendship with no prospect of anything more) where he asks for the actual first names of people when I ask him to pray for that person using generic terms like "my friend," "my sister," etc. And bad things keep happening with the people I gave him names to, as if they are under a curse or something.

Could he be praying against me, or is this the enemy's trick to make me think he's praying against me?

God doesn't honor that type of prayer. We are on the winning side --- God has already won.
 
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A_Thinker

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I believe in imprecatory prayer. However, the intention of such prayers should always be to destroy the works of evil, to loose the demonic bonds that bind people, and that our enemies might be brought to a place of repentance, or at least peace with us. Imprecatory prayers are seen throughout Scripture and the Psalms. Imprecatory prayer should never be in response to some "personal" slight, but rather in response to discernment and the leading of the Spirit. Imprecatory prayers can also be justified when praying against tyrants, atrocities, oppression, and violent persecution.

If one's intention in imprecatory prayer is merely to see an "enemy" suffer or be destroyed for the sake of personal vindication or revenge, such a prayer is not of God.
Thank-you for your contribution to this thread. It helps us to clarify our understanding ...
 
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A_Thinker

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God finds it an abomination but it does stop Christian witches to stop practicing.
Christians who would do such are like Samson, who though gifted by God, opened himself up up to the danger of consorting with the enemies of God. Having done so ... his gift was removed and his life was destroyed ... up unto its very end.

The testimony of many who consort with the occult is that it will destroy you. Those most in danger from "Christian witches" are those witches themselves ...
 
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A_Thinker

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God finds it an abomination but it does stop Christian witches to stop practicing.
Another Biblical example to reference is Balaam ... a prophet of God who conspired with God's enemies to proounce curses upon God's people, ... but who found that he could only bless them ...
 
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Natsumi Lam

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Another Biblical example to reference is Balaam ... a prophet of God who conspired with God's enemies to proounce curses upon God's people, ... but who found that he could only bless them ...
Oops i meant doesnt stop
 
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Natsumi Lam

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Christians who would do such are like Samson, who though gifted by God, opened himself up up to the danger of consorting with the enemies of God. Having done so ... his gift was removed and his life was destroyed ... up unto its very end.

The testimony of many who consort with the occult is that it will destroy you. Those most in danger from "Christian witches" are those witches themselves ...

Opps i meant doesnt stop
 
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Rescued One

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God finds it an abomination but it does ::edit doesnt:: stop Christian witches to stop practicing.
A witch cannot be a Christian without repenting of witchcraft.
 
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ChicanaRose

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Try a new perpective.

You have Spiritual Enemies in the heavenly realms watching what goes on. Your friend seems overly interested in what you do and who in particularly you pray for. Who's on the list? Sounds like he has an interest in you. You have a trust issue with this unwanted intrusion.

Now - here is a possibilty for the enemy to exploit.

Every person you pray for could be already having difficulties - isn't that why you are praying? On the other hand - the enemy could direct his attention to these people in the hope that you will start blaming your friend for the problem. Third, your faith is getting knocked by negative events that could be random. So - are you seeing clearly?

Keep praying. Keep your prayers private and don't share the details. Pray for your friend too.

Bad events happen in life - expect them.

Don't always try and think it's a spiritual thing - you can end up with some crazy thoughts trying to work it out.

One of the fruits of the spirit is perseverance. Jesus told us to be persistent in our prayers.

God Bless

Thank you, this is a sound advice.
 
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usexpat97

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I had an ex pray against me. I can just testify what happened to me. I had a quiet time, and the word from God I got was something along the lines of, "The smack is about to get laid down on you. But know that this is coming from me. Don't panic." Not the kind of quiet tine you want to have--but if it's going to happen, then I want to know. So my inevitable question: "Why?" And He came back, "You said you wanted to follow me, right? Well, this is my command. This is what I want."

Well...it happened. I got the smackdown all right. But I had a certain peace, to just wait it out. I didn't panic nearly as much as you might expect, when you consider what was happening. After awhile, I got out of it, and everything was made right in the end. Even some blessing, for my trouble.

Turns out, my ex was praying against me. And for whatever reason God felt He should answer it. I guess God dealt with her, and later she prayed the opposite for me. Forgiveness.

I would be lying if I said I understand it. I'm just sharing what happened.
 
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brinny

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I don't know where to post about spiritual warfare issues. I don't want to be superstitious (although it's embedded in my culture) but I've heard about people who pray against you.

For a long time, I've seen a pattern with a Christian brother (purely friendship with no prospect of anything more) where he asks for the actual first names of people when I ask him to pray for that person using generic terms like "my friend," "my sister," etc. And bad things keep happening with the people I gave him names to, as if they are under a curse or something.

Could he be praying against me, or is this the enemy's trick to make me think he's praying against me?

The "prayers" you describe are an abomination to the living God. They are sin and sound like "curses".

The bottom line, is that even "curses" aimed at children of the Most High God come to no account, as it is written:

"As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come." ~Pr 26:2
 
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Stone-n-Steel

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The Holy Spirit has your back

Rom. 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Don't put any faith in someone being able to pray against you.

Rom. 8:31 If God be for us, who can be against us?
 
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Martyr's Crown

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No, God is stronger than anything that attacks us. But He allows certain events to shape us into kinder, stronger people. And Jesus is always praying for us(John 17:9).

Some verses:

1 John 4:4
"Ye are of God, little children (new converts to Christ), and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

John 17:8-11
" 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."

God doesn't honor those who want people to lose faith. They may have money and power, but that's only temporary.

Those who belong to Christ will be blessed. It's the eternal outcome that matters.

When we pray, we pray with His will in mind. We desire what He desires for us.

I found this very helpful for me to read now. I do know God is stronger than anything and anyone, yet, to have this affirmed to us again and again is always needed in these times!

And especially in this part of the world where a lot of faith in Him are getting quenched by many! Especially when you direct your focus on His Son Jesus Christ.
 
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Martyr's Crown

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ChicanaRose;

There have already been a lot of advice given in here. But like Phoebe Ann told you; God is stronger, have already won everything, and when He allows bad things to happen or trials to come your way, they are all meant for good for you. Trials will not be pleasant when they happen to you, but they are meant to form and to discipline you.

Hebrews 12, 6:
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."

Anyhow; Like someone else wrote, persecutions are always meant for bad, but God uses it for something good in Him. When people are doing anything which is intended for evil against you, God can use this for something good. Often bad things done against you will create growth for you. You may not see this at first, those who do evil will certainly not see it, and even though it may look like everything is going bad for you, at some point God will make something greater out of it, just at the right time!

One just needs to keep on trusting in Him! No matter what it may look like at the time, no matter what others may think, say or believe from what they see at the time, no matter how you may feel like at the time, if God has a plan in mind, He will make it go through just when He wants it to go through! The whole world may go against you, the whole world may go against God, but God will always have the last say in everything! And we know that He is the Winner in everything! :oldthumbsup:

When Jesus Christ comes back, no one will dare to fight Him! He has already won! :amen:
 
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Rescued One

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I found this very helpful for me to read now. I do know God is stronger than anything and anyone, yet, to have this affirmed to us again and again is always needed in these times!

And especially in this part of the world where a lot of faith in Him are getting quenched by many! Especially when you direct your focus on His Son Jesus Christ.

God bless you! I pray for Christians around the world. I cry when I hear sad stories.
 
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Rescued One

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I wish that was true but they are calling themselves such.

It IS true! And many call themselves Christians, but God knows those who are His. The sheep love and obey Him!
 
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Ayenew

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I don't know where to post about spiritual warfare issues. I don't want to be superstitious (although it's embedded in my culture) but I've heard about people who pray against you.

For a long time, I've seen a pattern with a Christian brother (purely friendship with no prospect of anything more) where he asks for the actual first names of people when I ask him to pray for that person using generic terms like "my friend," "my sister," etc. And bad things keep happening with the people I gave him names to, as if they are under a curse or something.

Could he be praying against me, or is this the enemy's trick to make me think he's praying against me?
God will never turn your effort to do good for others into something bad. Stay positive and keep on doing your good works. Never give a chance for fear and doubt, as this may be a sin against God and His goodness.
 
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