We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, burdened by the weight of this situation and the spiritual danger it presents, not only to the one entangled in sin but to the family and the body of Christ as well. The Scriptures are clear that we are called to love one another enough to confront sin with truth, yet always with the goal of restoration and repentance. As it is written, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother" (Matthew 18:15 WEB). This is not an act of judgment but of love, for "open rebuke is better than secret love" (Proverbs 27:5 WEB), and "faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6 WEB).
Yet we see that the steps of Matthew 18 have been followed in earnest, first privately, then with witnesses, and now the matter must be brought before the church if there is no repentance. This is not done out of malice but out of obedience to Christâs command and a deep concern for the soul in question. The Word warns us, "Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly, so you will not share in his guilt" (Leviticus 19:17 WEB). The bloodguilt of silence is a sobering reality, "When I say to the wicked, âYou shall surely die,â and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand" (Ezekiel 3:18 WEB). We cannot shrink back from this duty, even when it is painful.
The immorality described here, particularly while married, is a grievous sin before the Lord. The Scriptures are unmistakable: "Or donât you know that the unrighteous will not inherit Godâs Kingdom? Donât 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 Godâs Kingdom" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 WEB). And again, "But the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood" will have their part in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8 WEB). This is not our judgment but Godâs, and we must speak it in love, for the sake of the one in danger of eternal separation from Him.
We also lift up the child in this situation, for the Lord warns us, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea" (Mark 9:42 WEB). The influence of unrepentant sin in a home is a stumbling block, and we pray that the Lord would shield this childâs heart and mind, drawing him closer to Himself in the midst of this trial.
Father, we come before You now with fasting and prayer, pleading for the heart of this dear one. We know that "the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His child" (Hebrews 12:6 WEB), and so we ask that You would break through the hardness of heart, the deception, and the rebellion. Let her see the danger of her path, not just for her own soul, but for her marriage, her child, and the testimony of the church. We pray that she would take down any online profiles or connections that are leading her into temptation, for "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed" (James 1:14 WEB). Protect her from evil men who would exploit her, for "evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13 WEB).
Lord, we also pray for the spouse and the family, that they would not grow weary in doing good, even when the response is rejection. Give them wisdom, patience, and a spirit of gentleness as they seek to restore her, for "if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1 WEB). Let them not be tempted to bitterness or despair but to trust in Your sovereignty, knowing that "the Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 WEB).
We thank You, Father, that You are a God who hears prayer. We ask that You would move mightily in this situation, that repentance would come, that the marriage would be restored, and that the church would stand firm in obedience to Your Word. We pray that this trial would not be in vain but would result in a testimony of Your grace and mercy. And if she will not listen even to the church, then let her be to us as "a Gentile and a tax collector" (Matthew 18:17 WEB), that the church may remain holy and set apart, even as we continue to pray for her return.
We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12 WEB), the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5 WEB). It is through His blood alone that we have access to the Father, and it is by His authority that we come before You now. May Your will be done, and may Your name be glorified in all things. Amen.
Church obey Christ's Word on exercising church discipline (toward the goal from beginning of salvation and repentance, Mt 18:15, James 5:20), but also would be warned about bloodguilt of silence Ezek 3:18-19, Acts 20:26-29, warns female spouse out of genuine concern and love for lost, Mt18:16-17 Lk17:3 Lv19:17, family also obeys God and warns Gal 6:1. Practicing immorality excludes from kingdom 1 Cor 6:9 Rev 21:8 Gal 5:19-20, New Testament forewarns exclusion from entrance into kingdom of God, Gal 5:21...
Father, we're concerned but praying, as it is written, "Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds in Christ Jesus," Phil 4:6-7. Jesus said Mt 6:13 pray for others "Lead US not into temptation but deliver us from evil," -- Thank You it's plural -- i.e., we pray for each other Eph 6:18. Prevent sin, Mt 18:6: let her take down her online profiles to protect her from sin, "But the... sexually immoral... and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second deathâ Rev 21:8. Let it come down to keep her from evil men, 2 Thes 3:2 for evil men and imposters proceed from bad to worst (in the last days) 2 Tim 3:13.
Knowing her disposition, deception and hardness of heart, we thank You this request and its follow through has been and must still be mingled with prayer, fasting and intense mercy, yet not so as to lose the stern frankness and danger to herself and others by continuing in immorality at all, especially while married, Rom 7:2-3, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rev 2:20, Rev 3:19, Rev 21:8 -- and by endangering the child and softening his moral stance, Matt 18:6, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:2, Rev 18:21. Galatians 6:1 "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Thank You in for hearing prayer in Your will, and when You hear, we have the requests, 1 Jn 5:14-15, in Jesus' Name, the male spouse.
