No—believers are never to pray for the death of a sinning believer.
According to Les Feldick, it is never our prerogative to ask God to take a believer out of physical life. Even in cases of gross sin, God may take that person home if they refuse to repent, but we are to restore them and leave that judgment in His hands.
1 John 5:16 — This verse addresses the 'sin unto death' and instructs believers not to pray for it.
The Bible teaches that all unrighteousness is sin, but there is a distinction between sin that leads to death and sin that does not. In 1 John 5:16-17, believers are told that if they see a brother sinning a sin not unto death, they should ask and God will give life for them. But there is a sin unto death—and for that, the instruction is to not pray (KJV). In 1 Corinthians 11:30, the apostle Paul reveals that because of unworthy partaking of the Lord's Supper, many among the Corinthians were weak, sickly, and asleep (died). This shows that God does chasten believers, even to the point of physical death, for persistent sin. Scripture also commands that when a believer is overtaken in a fault, the spiritual ones are to restore such a one in meekness (Galatians 6:1). The goal is restoration, not death.
Les Feldick teaches that it is explicitly forbidden for believers to pray for the death of another believer, even one who is living in gross sin. He emphasizes that God alone has that prerogative, and He may exercise it if a believer continues in known sin without repentance, as seen in the 'sin unto death' in 1 John 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 11:30. Instead of praying for death, Les stresses the biblical mandate to restore the erring believer with meekness (Galatians 6:1). He notes that this restoration is a church responsibility and should be done with a heart of love and burden, not with gossip or gloating. Even in extreme cases like the man in 1 Corinthians 5, the purpose is redemptive—that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Les Feldick explains that the 'sin unto death' is a condition where a believer persists in known sin, refuses to heed God's chastening (discipline), and God eventually takes them home physically—not losing salvation. He notes that Scripture warns against praying for this, as found in 1 John 5:16.
Les teaches that believers should not joke about or make light of someone's fall, but rather be heartbroken and pray for the person. The command in Galatians 6:1 is to restore such a one in meekness—this is the responsibility of the spiritually mature and church leaders.
Yes, Les explains that God chastens (disciplines) believers when they sin, and if they don't wake up, He may take them home. This is the 'sin unto death.' He connects this to Hebrews 12:6, 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.'
No Prayer for Death
Les explicitly states that we are never even to pray for the death of a believer who is being taken by God due to sin.
God's Prerogative
Les says, 'never pray, Lord take them out' and that it is God's prerogative to take a believer who persists in sin.
Chastening and Sin Unto Death
Les teaches that God chastens believers, and if they don't wake up, He may take them out—this is the sin unto death.
What It Means to Be Sealed by the Holy Spirit — 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
In other words actually inflict him with a sickness, or maybe even take him out with death, that the spirit of this guilty person, this saved individual who was a member of the congregation, may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. So does Paul put this guy lost again? No, but he's in dire straits because he is living in gross immorality, but the church is just as guilty as he is, because they'r…
Sin Unto Death and Lord's Supper
Les references 1 John 5:16, warning that there is a sin unto death and we should not pray for it.
Restoration, Not Death
Les emphasizes Galatians 6:1–that believers are to restore the fallen with meekness, not pray for their death.
Burden, Not Joking
Les explains that when a believer falls, our heart should break and we should pray for them, not joke about it.
Romans 6:7-12 — Can a Believer Still Sin After Being Set Free?
And see, the implications from Scripture is choose to be a Spirit-filled believer and not a fleshly-minded believer. Still both believers. All right, read on. So let not old Adam, verse 12, therefore reign, and I'm going to keep putting it in here until it rings like a bell. Don't let him reign like a king in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.
1 John 5:16-17: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Shows the sin unto death exists and that believers are not to pray for that situation.
Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Commands restoration, not prayer for death, when a believer falls.
1 Corinthians 11:30: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Indicates that God can judge believers physically for unworthy partaking of the Lord's Supper.
No. Les Feldick teaches that this is never our prerogative. God may take a believer home in severe cases, but we are not to pray for it; instead, we are to seek restoration.
It refers to a believer who persists in known sin, refuses to repent despite God's discipline, and thus God takes them home physically—while still saving their soul.
According to Galatians 6:1, the spiritual members should restore that person in a spirit of meekness, not with judgment or gossip.
Watch the Teaching: What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline and Sin?