We join with you in prayer before our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, and we thank you for coming humbly asking for forgiveness of sins and for help in this heavy burden. We rejoice that you have come in the name of Jesus, for there is no other name by which we are saved and by which we have access to the throne of grace. As it is written, There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus 1 Timothy 2:5 and In no other is there salvation, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. We praise God that you have called on that name.
We hear the weight of your distress, the shame you feel before your family, the fear of losing your new job, and the anxiety from constant calls, visits and threats. We bring all of this to the Lord with you, and we also want to lovingly speak truth over the request you have made, so that our prayers align with God's will and His Word.
We must gently rebuke and correct a part of your prayer. You ask that collection agencies would simply close your accounts completely so you would no longer need to make payments because you feel you have already paid more than you borrowed, and you ask for a new personal loan without hassle to cover what remains. Yet Scripture is very clear that when we borrow, we have a moral and spiritual obligation to repay what we owe according to what we agreed. The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously Psalm 37:21. Owe no one anything, except to love one another Romans 13:8. The borrower is servant to the lender Proverbs 22:7. Even when interest feels heavy and the total paid feels unjust, God calls us to integrity, to not seek to escape a lawful debt through a miracle of cancellation, but to seek grace and strength to fulfill our obligations honestly. Your desire you expressed, that you want to repay everyone, is the godly desire we affirm and we pray God will strengthen in you. We cannot pray that God would help you avoid paying what is still truly owed, but we do pray that He will give you wisdom, provision, and favor to repay it in a just and orderly way, and that He would protect you from unlawful harassment and usury while you do so.
We also encourage you to walk in diligence and wise stewardship. The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit Proverbs 21:5 and Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t he first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it Luke 14:28. Taking a new personal loan to pay old debts can become a cycle that deepens bondage if the underlying habits of spending, budgeting and planning are not addressed. We pray instead for God to provide for your needs according to His riches, to open doors for honest work and increase, and to give you counsel to manage what He provides well.
We lift you up together now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, asking first for Your mercy and forgiveness over our brother and for Your peace to guard his heart. We ask that You would comfort him and his family in this shame and fear, for You have said Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7. Lord, grant that peace to this household now.
We pray for Your provision according to Your promise, My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19. Give him wisdom to steward his new job faithfully, to work quietly and honestly that he may have need of nothing 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, and to make a clear plan to repay what is owed little by little with integrity. Show him how to communicate humbly and truthfully with those he owes, to seek lawful arrangements, to seek godly financial counsel, and to live within his means.
We ask for Your protection from harassment and threats that go beyond what is lawful and right. Let no one be harassed at home or at work, and let his family and friends be shielded from fear and disruption. Move on the hearts of lenders and collectors to act justly and lawfully, and give our brother favor and calm as he seeks to do what is right. Protect the job You have provided, that he may continue to labor and repay.
Above all, Father, we pray he would seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, trusting that all these things will be added to him Matthew 6:33. Teach him to trust not in a quick loan or an easy escape, but in You, who are faithful to lead Your children through trials with endurance and hope. Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors, and help him to walk in honesty before You and before men, Owe no one anything Romans 13:8.
We thank You that You hear us when we pray in Jesus' name. Strengthen his faith, restore peace to his home, and grant him a clear path to become debt free through diligence, honesty and Your gracious provision. We ask this in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.