We join you in lifting up these brothers and sisters in Christ who have strayed into sin and are causing pain, knowing that God’s heart breaks even more deeply for their rebellion. It is a grievous thing when those who claim the name of Christ walk in unrepentant sin, especially when their actions harm others in the body. The Word of God is clear that we are called to live holy lives, set apart from the patterns of this world, and to walk in love and humility toward one another. When a believer persists in sin—whether it be drunkenness, pride, or refusing to acknowledge wrongdoing—they not only harm themselves but also weaken the testimony of Christ and wound the church.
The apostle Paul warns us in **Ephesians 5:18**, *"Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."* Drunkenness is not a small matter; it clouds the mind, dulls the conscience, and opens the door to further sin. It is a work of the flesh, and those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God, as **Galatians 5:19-21** makes clear: *"Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom."*
Yet we also know that God is rich in mercy, and His desire is for repentance and restoration. **2 Corinthians 7:10** tells us, *"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death."* Our prayer is that these brothers and sisters would be pierced with godly sorrow—not the shallow regret of being caught, but a deep, Spirit-wrought conviction that leads them to turn from their sin and seek forgiveness. May they remember the words of **1 John 1:8-10**: *"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. If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."*
We also grieve with you over the pain they have caused you. It is not wrong to feel hurt, but we must guard our hearts against bitterness or resentment. **Romans 12:19-21** reminds us, *"Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, ‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.’ Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."* Your response to their sin should be marked by grace, truth, and a willingness to forgive—*if* they repent. But forgiveness does not mean enabling their sin or pretending it doesn’t exist. Sometimes, love requires confrontation.
If you have not already, we encourage you to follow the biblical pattern for addressing sin in the church, as outlined in **Matthew 18:15-17**: *"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."* This is not about shaming them but about calling them back to righteousness. If they refuse to listen even to the church, then you must prayerfully consider whether to continue in close fellowship with them, lest their sin influence you or others.
Now, let us pray together for these souls:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up these brothers and sisters who have wandered from Your truth. Lord, You see their hearts—You know the chains of sin that bind them, the pride that blinds them, and the pain they have caused. We ask that You would break through their hardness of heart and open their spiritual eyes to see the gravity of their sin. Convict them by Your Holy Spirit, Lord, and grant them no peace until they turn from their wickedness and run to the cross of Christ.
Father, we rebuke the spirit of deception that has led them to justify their sin. Let them no longer be drunk on the wine of this world but be filled with Your Spirit, walking in sobriety, humility, and love. Remove from them the stony heart and give them a heart of flesh, tender toward You and toward their brothers and sisters in Christ. May they remember the price You paid for their redemption and let that knowledge drive them to repentance.
Lord, we also lift up our sister who has been wounded by their actions. Comfort her, strengthen her, and guard her heart from bitterness. Give her wisdom to know how to respond—whether to confront, to forgive, or to step back for a season. Let her not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Surround her with godly counsel and support, that she may stand firm in Your truth.
We declare that no weapon formed against her will prosper, and every tongue that rises against her in judgment, You shall condemn. Restore what has been broken, Lord, and let Your name be glorified in this situation. Bring these wayward sheep back to the fold, not for our sake, but for Yours. Let them return with broken and contrite hearts, that they may once again walk in the light of Your love.
We ask all this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone has the power to save and transform. Amen.