Praying against curses
In life, we sometimes have to deal with malicious people. We can feel helpless in the face of people's hostility and power to cause harm. Every bad word can act as a curse if we let it take root in us. Bad criticism, for example, heard in childhood, can become limiting beliefs in our adult lives. Jealousy and conflict can also be the occasion for bad words that act as a curse if we're not careful. The good news is that while we may not have the means to control what others say or think about us, we do have the means to react in ways that won't backfire. Beyond the special cases that require the accompaniment of an exorcist priest to free you from evil, here is some biblical advice on how to react in the face of malicious attacks, as well as a psalm of deliverance to ask the Lord for help.
In the face of cursing, use blessing
Understanding the power of words
The Bible reminds us of the power of words. On numerous occasions, it warns us about the words we use and the harm we can do with our tongues.
Here are a few biblical proverbs highlighting the power of words, both through blessings (literally saying good) and curses (literally saying bad):
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who choose one shall eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21)
"The mouth of the just is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence." (Proverbs 10:11).
"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse one breaks the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4)
Protecting yourself against words that destroy, imprison or kill
The Word of God is the word of life. Listening to it and keeping it within us is what opens us to true peace, to the joy of God and to eternal life.
The antidote to every bad word is the word of God. So repeating a Bible verse, inscribing it deeply within ourselves and keeping it in our hearts can set us free and heal us of our ills.
Here are a few Bible verses that restore strength and calm:
"Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Yes, all shall be put to shame and disgrace who vent their anger against you; Those shall be as nothing and perish who offer resistance." (Isaiah 41:10-11).
"The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning— great is your faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in him." (Lamentations 3:22-24)
"I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." (Philippians 4:13)
"I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
"Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you; your walls are ever before me." (Isaiah 49:15-16).
"You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
We can also address a prayer to God, asking for his blessing, far stronger than any curse we might have received: "do, then, bless the house of your servant, that it may be in your presence forever—since you, Lord G od , have promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever." (2 Samuel 7:29).
(Find other words of blessing from the Bible)
Know how to bless - never curse
The first instinct when attacked is to react in kind. But as Jesus shows us in the Gospels, God doesn't want us to respond to evil with evil, but with good.
When faced with someone who slanders us, who curses us, who uses lies and slander, we must respond as children of God: with truth, patience, temperance and compassion.
"Do not envy the violent and choose none of their ways: To the Lord the devious are an abomination, but the upright are close to him. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; Those who scoff, he scoffs at, but the lowly he favors. The wise will possess glory, but fools will bear shame." (Proverbs 3:31-35)
By doing so, we'll welcome all God's graces, which will fill us far more abundantly than we may have lost, for: "All these blessings will come upon you and overwhelm you when you obey the voice of the Lord, your God:" (Deuteronomy 28, 2)
Psalm of deliverance
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23)
(Find other psalms of deliverance)
Welcome God's blessings with Hozana
It's important to remember every day how much we're loved by God, and that when we're with him, evil has no power over us. Here are some Hozana suggestions to help us do just that:
- and making it grow within us,
- and enter into her loving embrace,
- by living , who came to save and deliver all mankind.
