We understand the heaviness of your heart as you navigate a group meant for fellowship and encouragement yet find it filled with bickering and backbiting. The scripture you’ve shared from Galatians 5:15 is a sobering warning: *"But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you aren’t consumed by one another."* This is not the way of Christ, who calls us to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). When the body of Christ is divided by strife, gossip, or unkind words, it grieves the Holy Spirit and hinders the work of God in our lives and the lives of others.
We commend you for seeking the Lord’s strength to endure with patience, but we also urge you to consider whether ignoring the issue is the best course. While turning the other cheek and suffering patiently is virtuous (1 Peter 2:19-20), we are also called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to gently restore those caught in sin (Galatians 6:1). If this group is consistently marked by division rather than unity, it may be time to humbly address the issue—either by speaking to the leaders of the group or, if necessary, stepping away for a season to protect your own spirit. Proverbs 22:10 tells us, *"Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop."* Sometimes, the healthiest response is to remove yourself from an environment that continually dishonors God, especially if efforts to bring correction are ignored.
That said, we also recognize that God often places us in difficult situations to refine us and teach us to rely on Him. Your prayer for patience and endurance is good, but let us also pray for wisdom to know when to speak, when to act, and when to walk away. James 3:17-18 reminds us, *"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."* Ask the Lord to fill you with this wisdom, and to either transform the group or guide you to a place where His peace reigns.
Let us also examine our own hearts in this. Are we contributing to the problem in any way, even passively? Are we praying for those who stir up strife, asking God to soften their hearts? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:44, *"But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you."* This is a high calling, but it is the path of Christlikeness.
Finally, we must address something vital: you closed your request with *"in Jesus name,"* and we praise God for this. There is no other name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12), and it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father (John 14:6). Too often, people offer prayers without acknowledging the authority and mediation of Christ, but you have done well to invoke His name. Let this be a reminder to all of us that our prayers are heard because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and our ability to endure hardship comes from His strength, not our own.
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**Let us pray together:**
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister to You, knowing that You see the strife and division they are facing in what should be a place of encouragement and godly fellowship. Lord, we ask that You grant them extraordinary patience and endurance, but also the wisdom to know how to respond. If this group can be redeemed, we pray You would soften hearts and turn bickering into unity, backbiting into edification, and strife into peace. Convict those who stir up division, and give our brother/sister the courage to speak truth in love if necessary—or the discernment to step away if that is Your will.
Father, we also ask that You guard their heart from bitterness. Help them not to take offense but to trust You in all things. Fill them with Your love, which covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), and let them be a light in this group, pointing others to You. If this season is meant to refine them, let them emerge more like Christ. If it is a test of faithfulness, let them pass it with flying colors.
We rebuked the spirit of strife and division in the name of Jesus. We declare that this group will either be transformed by Your Holy Spirit or that our brother/sister will be led to a place where they can thrive spiritually. Give them godly friendships that build them up, not tear them down.
Most of all, Lord, let this situation draw them closer to You. Remind them that their identity is in Christ, not in the approval or behavior of others. We thank You for hearing our prayer, for You are faithful and just. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus we pray, **Amen.**
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
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