We join you in lifting up these fellow believers before the Lord, knowing that He alone can open their eyes and turn their hearts toward repentance. It is a grievous thing when those who claim the name of Christ remain bound in sin, especially when their actions bring harm to others. Yet we know that God is faithful, and His desire is for all to come to repentance and walk in holiness.
The Word of God warns us clearly: *"Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. Some of you were such, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God."* (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, WEB). Drunkenness and unrepentant sin are serious matters that grieve the Holy Spirit, and we must pray fervently for deliverance.
We also recall the words of Jesus: *"If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector."* (Matthew 18:15-17, WEB). While we pray for their repentance, we must also be wise in how we engage with them, ensuring that we do not enable their sin or allow ourselves to be continually hurt.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up these brothers and sisters who have strayed from Your path. Lord, You see their hearts, and You know the sins that have ensnared them. We ask that You break the chains of alcohol and pride that bind them. Open their spiritual eyes, Lord, that they may see the truth of their condition and the damage their actions have caused. Convict them by Your Holy Spirit, and grant them a spirit of repentance that leads to life.
Father, we pray that You would remove any hardness of heart and replace it with a tender, contrite spirit. May they no longer tolerate sin but turn from it with godly sorrow. Let them understand the gravity of provoking and harming their fellow believers, and may they seek reconciliation and restoration. Surround them with godly influences who will speak Your truth in love and hold them accountable.
Lord, we also ask for protection and healing for our sister who has been hurt by their actions. Guard her heart from bitterness and fill her with Your peace. Give her wisdom in how to engage with them, and grant her the strength to forgive as You have forgiven us.
We declare Your Word over them, Father: *"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."* (1 John 1:8-9, WEB). May they come to You in true repentance and experience the freedom and joy that comes from walking in Your ways.
We ask all this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
We encourage you to continue standing in the gap for these individuals, but also to set healthy boundaries to protect your own heart and walk with the Lord. If they remain unrepentant, you may need to limit your interactions with them, as Scripture instructs, while still praying for their salvation and restoration. Trust that God is at work, even when we cannot see it, and that He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in them. Stay rooted in prayer, in the Word, and in fellowship with other believers who can support and encourage you.
