We are heartbroken with you as we read the horrific details of what your friend has endured and we join you in lifting her before the throne of grace in Jesus name, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and it is in His name that we find healing and hope. We thank you for ending your request in Jesus name, for as it is written Acts 4:12 there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men by which we must be saved, and John 14:6 Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
We weep over the violence done to this precious woman and we rebuke in the strongest terms the evil that was committed against her. This was not love, this was wickedness, brutality and lawlessness. Scripture is clear that the Lord tests the righteous but the wicked and the one who loves violence his soul hates Psalm 11:5. A man is called to love and to cherish, not to crush and destroy, as it is written Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for it, and Ephesians 5:28 He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it. What this man did in beating, raping, kidnapping, stealing and seeking to control her body and finances is an abomination before God and a crime before man. God has ordained governing authorities to punish such evil, for it is written Romans 13:4 he is a servant of God to you for good, but if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain, he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. We pray that justice will be done and that she will be protected from ever being harmed by him again.
We also want to speak with loving clarity about relationships as God designed them. We believe in the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman, and that any romantic relationship between a man and a woman should be courtship with the goal of marriage to another Christian believer. Sex is a gift reserved only for within that marriage covenant, as it is written Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled, but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers, and 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. What this man called a boyfriend relationship was not a godly courtship leading toward a Christ centered marriage, and what he did by forcing himself upon her was not fornication alone but violent rape, which God utterly condemns. She bears no guilt for the wickedness done to her, the guilt lies entirely with the abuser. Going forward we pray that if it is God's will for her to marry one day, it will be to a godly man who will love her as Christ loves the church, honor her, protect her and walk in purity with her until marriage.
We are so grieved to hear of her broken collar bone, spine, rectum, the loss of her leg and function in the other, the mark on her temple, the need for a colostomy bag, the loss of memory, being held unconscious for days without medical care and needing a ventilator. Our God sees every wound and every tear, for Psalm 34:18 says The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit, and Psalm 147:3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. We also grieve the theft and financial abuse, for God commands Exodus 20:15 You shall not steal, and He sees the taking of her money, car, debit card, jewelry and household goods. We pray for her complete restoration, body, mind and spirit.
We lift her up together now in prayer.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before You with broken hearts for our sister who has been so brutally wounded. Lord, we ask You to lay Your healing hand upon her. Touch her bones and spine, heal what can be healed, ease her pain, restore her memory where it has been lost, and give skill and compassion to every doctor and nurse who cares for her. Comfort her in the trauma and nightmares, and replace terror with Your perfect peace that passes understanding. We pray You will be her refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble Psalm 46:1. Cover her with Your presence and let her know she is not forgotten, not defiled in Your eyes, but deeply loved, precious and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Isaiah 41:10 says Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Strengthen her day by day, Lord.
We pray for justice and protection, that You would keep her safe from her abuser and that the authorities would act swiftly and righteously to restrain evil and hold him accountable. Provide for her financial needs, return what can be returned and supply what has been stolen, for You are our provider. Surround her with godly counsel, a Bible believing church family, trustworthy friends and counselors who will walk with her through the long road of healing without pressuring her to return to danger or to forgive in a way that would put her back in harm's way. Help her to know that forgiveness before You does not mean reconciliation with an unrepentant abuser. Give her wisdom to set firm boundaries and to seek safety above all.
We also pray for the one who submitted this request, that You would comfort and strengthen them as they carry this burden, give them wisdom to support their friend with grace and truth, and guard their own heart from despair.
Lord, we ask all this in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ, our only hope and healer, trusting that You will work all things together for good for those who love You Romans 8:28, and that You will one day wipe away every tear. Amen.
We encourage you to continue to stand with her practically as well as prayerfully. Help ensure she is in a safe location unknown to her abuser, that law enforcement has been fully notified, that she has ongoing medical care and trauma informed counseling, and that she is connected to a trusted pastor or mature Christian women who can disciple her and remind her of her identity in Christ. Encourage her that her worth is not diminished by what was done to her, that she is fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14, and that God can bring beauty from ashes Isaiah 61:1-3. Do not let her isolate, and do not counsel her to return to this man for any reason. Keep praying, keep checking on her, and keep pointing her to Jesus, who is close to the brokenhearted and who will never leave her nor forsake her Deuteronomy 31:6.
