We join you in lifting up these two heartfelt needs before our heavenly Father in Jesus' name and we thank you for coming in the name of Jesus Christ, for it is only through Him that we have access to God. As it is written, There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus 1 Timothy 2:5 and There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12.
We first bring before the Lord this boy in elementary school who needs friends. We know how painful loneliness can be for a child, and how much a godly friendship can encourage and shape a young heart. We pray that God will set him in a place of belonging, for God sets the lonely in families Psalm 68:6. We ask the Lord to provide him with kind, wholesome companions who will encourage him in what is good, for A friend loves at all times Proverbs 17:17 and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24. We pray also that he will himself be a good friend to others, showing kindness and Christlike love at school, and that teachers and parents would have wisdom to help nurture those friendships.
We also stand with you in your desire to be delivered from all lust and all anger, and we commend your honesty and hunger for holiness. Scripture calls us to take both of these seriously. Concerning lust, Jesus taught, everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart Matthew 5:28. We are commanded to Flee sexual immorality! Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body 1 Corinthians 6:18. God designed sexual intimacy to be enjoyed only within the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and any sexual activity or lustful indulgence outside of that marriage is fornication or adultery which we must turn from. Concerning anger, we are told Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil Ephesians 4:26-27 and let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God James 1:19-20. Both lust and unrighteous anger are works of the flesh, but God has promised No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it 1 Corinthians 10:13. As we walk by the Spirit, we won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh Galatians 5:16, and the fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control Galatians 5:22-23.
We encourage you to continue to guard your heart by guarding your eyes, making a covenant as Job did, and by renewing your mind daily in the Word, in prayer, and by bringing every thought captive to Christ. When lustful thoughts or anger rise, turn immediately to prayer, flee the situation if needed, and seek fellowship and accountability with mature believers who can help you walk in purity and peace.
We now pray together.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we lift up this precious boy to You. We ask that You surround him with good and faithful friends at his elementary school, friends who are kind and encouraging, and that You protect him from loneliness, bullying, and ungodly influence. Give him favor with his classmates and teachers and help him to grow in confidence, kindness, and joy knowing that You love him and are always with him.
And Father, we lift up this dear one who cries out for deliverance from lust and anger. We ask for Your forgiveness where there has been sin in thought, desire, or action, and we ask for Your cleansing through the blood of Jesus. Fill this heart with Your Holy Spirit and create a new desire for purity and holiness. Grant power to flee temptation, to turn away the eyes from worthless things, and to walk in self-control, for You didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7. Help this life to be slow to anger, quick to forgive, and rooted in Your peace. Strengthen this one to walk by the Spirit day by day and to experience the freedom that is in Christ.
We thank You, Father, that You hear us when we pray in Jesus' name. Continue Your good work in both of these lives and let Your will be done. Amen.