Such a prayer as this betrays a spirit that is not of Christ. Do you not know what manner of spirit you are of? The Son of Man came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. How then can you call down fire from heaven upon this woman and think you do God service? There is a zeal which is not according to knowledge, a fire kindled by the Evil One, which burns with the fury of hell rather than the holy flame of the altar. I charge you, examine your heart. Is this the mind of Christ, who when He was reviled, reviled not again? Is this the way of the Master, who prayed for His murderers, “Father, forgive them”? You speak of a “beloved one”, but true love works no ill to his neighbor, and love is the fulfilling of the law. How can you ask the God of all mercy to cast a soul into perdition while the gate of mercy still stands open wide? What if this woman is a grievous sinner, a veritable Jezebel? Was there not a Manasseh whose sins made hell grow hot with indignation, and yet he found repentance? Was there not a Saul of Tarsus, breathing out threatenings and slaughter, who became the chief of apostles? Who are you to shut the door of hope against any creature for whom Christ died? I tell you, if you have ever tasted that the Lord is gracious, you will remember the pit from which you were yourself dug. You will recall that your own sins, your own black transgressions, had outlawed you from God. It was Infinite Mercy that dragged off your evil habits, that snapped your bands and set you free. You did not deliver yourself; a ransom was found, a gift of Divine Love, through the precious blood of Jesus. And will you now, who live by mercy, demand judgment without mercy for another? O, this is dangerous ground! Beware lest as you judge, you be judged.
Yet, I understand the anguish behind this cry. There is a real conflict, a spiritual wickedness in high places. The Evil One prowls about, and he will use willing instruments to vex and torment the people of God. You speak of a woman who is evil, wicked, and cursed, seeking to triumph over one dear to you. That is a genuine trial. It is written that God's purpose from the time when Satan fell is to break down everything which sets itself up in opposition to Him. The Lord will dry up the green tree; the death warrant is gone out from God against everything that is of the creature lifted up in pride. You fear her influence; you see the power of darkness at work. But remember this: deliverance from the power of sin is as much the work of God as deliverance from the guilt of sin. We are not called to curse the darkness, but to look to the One who has delivered us from it. If ever this poor soul is to be truly stopped, if ever the beloved one is to be shielded, it will not be by imprecations of death and hell, but by the Father drawing the beloved one closer to Himself, and by Divine power breaking the snare. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, however foul it may be. Our weapons are not curses, but faith and prayer. Take your stand with the Psalmist: “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me.” Do not cry for blood, but cry for deliverance. Let your spirit make diligent search. Ask, “Show me why You contend with me. Lord, if I am chastened, tell me why.” For often the Lord permits a storm to teach us to cling to the Rock. The trial may lie within the fence of Omnipotent overruling, even if the instrument is vile.
Consider your own conduct. Has the Lord not chastened you sorely in times past? When you commune with your own heart, do you find such a vindictive spirit to be the fruit of the Holy Ghost? The Spirit who regenerated us, who is our Comforter, does He prompt such prayers? No, He helps our infirmities and intercedes with groanings that cannot be uttered, but they are groans for mercy, not for vengeance. He teaches us to cry, “Take not Your Holy Spirit from me,” not to demand the destruction of others. If He withdraws His power in prayer, and your faith in the promise fails, then you are ruined indeed. Praying in the Holy Spirit is the only true praying, and the Spirit of God is a Spirit of love, of long-suffering, of gentleness. Lay this prayer at the cross, confess it as sin, and seek a better mind. Do not say, “I am right to be angry.” There is a kind of anxiety that can be carried to an unbelieving extent. This is not the spirit of lowliness that God blesses. The Lord casts down the mighty from their seats of pomp, but He lifts up the poor from the dunghill. You cannot stand with the mighty in prideful condemnation and expect His blessing.
Let me counsel you on the believer’s conduct after affliction and under threat of harm. The saint of God, when rescued from sorrows, is sure to sing, “My soul does magnify the Lord.” The proper response is a dedication to God, not a dedication to the ruin of another. “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Your work is to declare the works of grace in your own life and in the life of the one you love. Let this trial make you more prayerful, more watchful, more Christlike. If Esau, once bloodthirsty, could be met with a kiss upon the neck, cannot God change this woman’s heart? And if He does not, cannot He wholly shield His own from her poison? He has delivered us from the power of darkness; He has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. This is already won. The ultimate victory is not in her death, but in your sanctification, in the safe-keeping of the beloved one, and in your own soul’s preservation from the canker of bitterness.
Therefore, I bid you, let this prayer be repented of. Go to your chamber, review the cross, and when you see Christ dying for His enemies, pray for yours. Pray that the alleged Jezebel may be converted, as so many monsters of iniquity have been. I have known those who were deep-dyed in sin, hardhearted, plunging far into the abyss, become the greatest wonders of Divine Grace. Should she remain obstinate, then she is in God’s hands, and His judgments are righteous. But our office is not to draw the sword; it is to wield the weapon of all-prevailing prayer for blessing. We are to say, “Deliver us from the Evil One,” and trust the Lord to tread Satan under our feet shortly. The saints in heaven cry not for vengeance; they cry, “How long, O Lord?” even now, and the answer is that they rest a little while until the fullness of time. Learn that patience. Let the Lord alone execute His own word; it is His prerogative to cast down the mighty. Rejoice, rather, that whatever evil is plotted, the Lord reigns. He who delivered you from the pit will deliver you from all the attacks of old sins and present foes. He has given commandment to save you, and you shall be saved. Walk in that confidence. Sing the songs of deliverance, for the noise of the archers has ceased around the wells where the righteous draw water. May the very peace of God which passes understanding garrison your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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