Questions

Is it a sin to pray that someone would die? Is it ever okay to wish that someone would die because you don't want someone you love to keep suffering?

Does it matter if the person is close to death anyway? What if they are abusive, hateful and filled with bitterness? A financial burden? A waste of air by human standards?

Does it matter if they aren't a Christian? That they have alienated everyone in their life?

Life would be easier if someone would die. I think God already knows that and knows that I would like for that person to die soon. Would it be wrong to pray for a swift end to the misery they bring to everyone they touch?

I don't think it would be wrong.

The motivation for such a prayer would be that my loved one wouldn't have to deal with an intolerable situation. Yet God uses such things for His own purposes. The suffering of loved ones is not without purpose or value. God gives each of us individually our portion of suffering because the end, the burning off of impurities, is more valuable than being happy in the short term. Should we pray away the suffering of those we love?

Why not? Jesus asked God to spare Him if it was God's will. It isn't wrong to ask the same for ourselves or the ones we love. The challenge is to accept His answer.

But I swear, if I were closer to the situation, I'd be praying really hard for someone to die soon.