We join you in this burden for the salvation of so many souls and we are encouraged by your heart to see them come to the knowledge of the truth. It is the will of God that all should be saved, for we read in 1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. And again in 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We lift up before the Lord the teenager and his family, the many individuals whose names were redacted, the three children, the adult, the man and the retired man, and every person connected to their lives. We pray that if any of them have not yet believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, that God would draw them by His Spirit, open their eyes, and grant them repentance and faith. We are thankful that you prayed in the name of Jesus Christ, for there is no other way to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And in 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. We hold fast to the promise in Romans 10:9 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. And in Romans 10:13 For, Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
We also hear your request to remove something from memory and to remove all knowledge of zodiac signs, and we want to affirm that desire. The practice of astrology and seeking guidance from zodiac signs is forbidden by God and is an abomination to Him. We read in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh. And in Isaiah 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, those who prophesy by the stars, stand up and save you from the things that will come on you. We rebuke any involvement with these things and we commend you for wanting them removed and forgotten. God desires to cleanse our minds and to give us a new way of thinking. He promises to renew us.
For the distressing memory you mentioned, we pray that God would bring healing and renewal to the mind. We are called in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to be throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. And in Philippians 4:8 we are taught Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. God is able to create a clean heart and to help us forget what is harmful and to remember what is good, as in Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a steadfast spirit within me.
We pray together now.
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, Your one and only Son, and we thank You that we have access to Your throne of grace through Him. Lord, we lift up every person mentioned in this request, the teenager and his family, each man and woman whose name was withheld, the children and every adult, the retired man and all those in their circles of influence. If any of them are not yet saved, we ask that You would have mercy on them, that You would send laborers across their path, open their hearts to hear the gospel, and grant them the gift of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Save them, Lord, that they might have eternal life as You promised in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Father, we also ask that You would cleanse and renew the mind of the one who prayed this. Remove that which is troubling from memory, the thing coming and going to the west, and replace it with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Wash away all knowledge of zodiac signs and all fascination with astrology, for we renounce those things as contrary to Your word. Fill that space with Your truth, Your word, and thoughts that are pure and lovely and honorable. Create a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within. Help us to keep our minds stayed on You.
We ask all of this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.