Praying To Die

1 Kings 19 : 1 - 4, And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" NKJV

If there is anything that all humans have in common, it must be that we all get bad news. In today's scripture, Elijah got a message from Jezebel that basically threatened his life. Nevertheless, before I continue, let me share the context of the story that led to the threat against Elijah.

Elijah had summoned the false prophets of Israel and the prophets of Baal. Elijah then single-handedly took on all 850 of these prophets. However, after the miraculous win of killing all of Jezebel's prophets, she sent this evil threat to Elijah. Now you can imagine the emotional roller coaster he was on; he went from a huge victory to facing a death sentence, if Jezebel's men could capture him.

The Bible tells us that when Elijah got the bad news, he ran for his life. Afterwards, Elijah left his servant in Beersheba and went a day's journey into the wilderness. It was there and while he was alone that he prayed to God to let him die. Stop! Look at the confusion and contradictions that Elijah is exhibiting in his decisions immediately after he heard the threat from the messenger of Jezebel. In one moment, he is running for his life (so he wouldn't die), and in a different moment, he is praying to die.

Fear makes us humans do strange things that really don't make sense. Fear made Elijah run for his life, and then it made him pray to God that He would let him die. Elijah is no longer being controlled by the Spirit of God, as he was on Mount Carmel when he killed the false prophets; now, he is being driven by the spirit of fear.

Are you, like Elijah, facing situations that threaten your existence? Are you being driven by fear into making irrational decisions? If so, then receive this as a word from the Lord for the season that you're going through. You will notice that the fear in Elijah's heart made him run into the wilderness alone. Satan uses fear tactics to cause believers to run into pits of seclusion, so he can prey on them through their out-of-control thoughts and emotions.

Have you prayed for God to take your life because of the trouble that seems to surround you? If you have, then know it's not your heart that wants you to die; rather it is that you're fighting a demonic spirit, which is using negative situations and threats to push you into the corner of hopelessness. We're commanded in James 4 to submit to God, resist the Devil, and he must flee from us. Instead of running in fear, ask the Lord to give you peace in your heart and mind. As His peace fills your heart, you will be able to think clearly and rationally. Like Elijah, you have come under a demonic attack that is seeking to devour you; even so, you have the victory in Jesus!

If this word has described the world that you've been enduring, then this is God's word of deliverance for you. Let me know if you need prayer to help you overcome this attack by emailing me at pastorasadockery@whcnorth.org. I and the intercessors of World Harvest Church North will stand in agreement with you for breakthrough and deliverance, so that you can, once again, enjoy your life in Christ.

Standing With You in Prayer,
Pastor Asa Dockery