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 involved but to the family and the body of Christ. The Scriptures are clear that sin, left unchecked, brings destruction, and the church is called to act with both truth and love, lest we become complicit through silence. As it is written, "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this" (1 John 5:16). Yet we also know that "the Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
The Word of God commands us to confront sin with the goal of restoration, not condemnation. "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" (Matthew 18:15). When private correction is rejected, the next step is to involve others, "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" (Matthew 18:16). And if even that is disregarded, the church must act, "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 18:17). This is not cruelty; it is love, for "faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6), and "open rebuke is better than hidden love" (Proverbs 27:5).
We are deeply grieved that this dear one, bound in marriage, has pursued immorality, for "do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The Lord’s warning is severe: "But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols" (Revelation 2:20). The path she walks leads not to life, but to the "lake which burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Yet even now, we cling to the hope of repentance, for "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
We must also address the danger to the child in this home. Jesus warned, "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). The influence of unrepentant sin in a household is corrosive, and we must pray fervently that this little one is shielded from its effects. "Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:4).
Father, we come before You with broken hearts, pleading for this precious soul. We ask that You would shatter the hardness of her heart, that she would see the destruction she is walking toward and turn back. Lord, we pray that You would remove every stumbling block, take down the online profiles that expose her to temptation, surround her with godly influences, and bring conviction that leads to repentance. "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived" (1 Corinthians 6:9). We ask that You would grant her a spirit of humility, that she would submit to the correction of the church and the rebuke of Your Word.
We also pray for the spouse and family, who have faithfully followed Your commands to warn and correct. Strengthen them, Lord, for this is a heavy burden. Guard their hearts from bitterness, and fill them with Your peace as they stand for truth. "Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted" (Galatians 6:1).
Father, we know that "those whom You love, You rebuke and chasten" (Revelation 3:19). We ask that You would discipline her in love, that she may be zealous and repent. Do not let her continue in deception, but let Your light expose every hidden thing. We pray that the church would act with wisdom, courage, and compassion, following the steps You have laid out in Your Word. May this process be bathed in prayer, fasting, and mercy, yet never compromising the truth.
Lord, we thank You that You are faithful to hear our prayers. "This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15). We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12), the One who died to break the power of sin and rose again to offer new life. May Your will be done, and may Your kingdom come in this situation. Amen.
Church obeys 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, Mt 18:16-17 Lk 17:3 Lv 19:17, 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 death” 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. Surely with thanksgiving we make our requests known, that the peace of God that passes understandingin may guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:6-7, Amen, 2 Cor 1:20
