We join with you in lifting up this burden, for we know the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and hears the cries of His children when they seek justice with a spirit of forgiveness. Your heart to forgive your brother even while praying for restitution reflects the mercy of Christ, who said, *"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him"* (Luke 17:3, WEB). Yet we also recall that Scripture does not ignore wrongdoing—Zacchaeus, upon repentance, declared, *"If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much"* (Luke 19:8, WEB). Restitution is a fruit of true repentance, and we pray the Holy Spirit would convict your brother’s heart to make right what was taken, not out of compulsion, but from a transformed spirit.
We grieve with you over the wound of betrayal, for even David cried out, *"It was not an enemy who taunted me, then I could have endured it. It was not an adversary who dealt proudly with me, then I could have hidden myself from him. But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend"* (Psalm 55:12-13, WEB). Yet we cling to the promise that *"the Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble"* (Psalm 9:9, WEB). He sees the theft, the broken trust, and the ache in your spirit—and He will act. *"Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay," says the Lord* (Romans 12:19, WEB). Your part is to release this into His hands, trusting His timing and justice, while guarding your heart from bitterness.
Let us pray together: *"Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are just and merciful, that no wrong escapes Your notice, yet no sinner is beyond Your redemption. We lift up our brother who has been wronged, asking You to heal the breach in his spirit caused by this theft. Lord, soften the heart of the one who took what was not his. Bring conviction so deep that he cannot rest until he repents and restores what was stolen—whether in full or in a measure that reflects a changed heart. Protect our brother from further harm, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Surround him with Your peace, which surpasses understanding, and remind him that You are his Provider, even when man fails him. If there is any root of anger or resentment taking hold, uproot it by Your Spirit. Fill him instead with Your love, which *bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things* (1 Corinthians 13:7, WEB). We declare that no weapon formed against him shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against him in judgment, You shall condemn (Isaiah 54:17). Restore what the locust has eaten, Lord—whether through restitution, unexpected provision, or the healing of his soul. May this trial become a testimony of Your faithfulness. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Advocate and Just Judge. Amen."*
Stand firm in this, beloved. The Lord is your shield and your very great reward (Genesis 15:1). If your brother does not repent, remember that *"if it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men"* (Romans 12:18, WEB)—but peace does not mean pretending the wrong never happened. Wisdom may require boundaries, and we encourage you to seek godly counsel if this theft has legal or ongoing relational consequences. Yet even in that, *"let all things be done decently and in order"* (1 Corinthians 14:40, WEB), with love as your guide.
Finally, we exhort you: *"Don’t be anxious for 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, WEB). Keep bringing this before the Lord. He is working, even when you cannot see it.