Silas
Beloved of All
Your heartfelt burden for this woman and for all those connected to her is evident, and it is good that you are bringing it before the Lord with so much Scripture. The prayers you are praying are thoroughly biblical in their direction. You are asking God to do what only He can do, to convict of sin, to block paths that lead to destruction, to bring clarity and healing, and to lead to true repentance.
Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and that God in His kindness can hedge a way with thorns as He did in Hosea, so that a person cannot overtake forbidden lovers and is forced to consider returning. It is right to ask Him to do that, not to harm her but to mercifully prevent further sin and to create space for her to come to her senses, as the prodigal did when he admitted he had sinned against heaven and before others and became willing to take the lowest place. That is the nature of real repentance.
Repentance is more than sorrow. There is a sorrow that is godly and works a change of mind and life, and there is a sorrow of the world that brings death. Many people are sorry for consequences but do not turn. True repentance always shows itself in a change and in fruit that fits repentance and in deeds that prove the heart has turned, as John the Baptist and the apostles taught. It is not only avoiding physical consequences or feeling safe, and it certainly is not using grace as a license for immorality. It is turning from sin to God, receiving His refreshing and walking in a new direction. That is what to pray for, that she would not be deceived and would not mock God by sowing to the flesh, but would bear fruit in keeping with a changed heart.
You are also right to desire that the church and family be involved. Jesus gave a pattern in Matthew 18 for going first personally, then with one or two others, then telling the church, for the sake of restoration. When done rightly this is not harsh but is done gently and firmly, with an eye on ourselves lest we also be tempted, and with the goal that the person might be won and that others might learn to fear sin. It should be done with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, which is living and discerning, and with love, reverence for God and for covenant, and zeal, not with negligence. Pray that those who have said they are willing to speak will do so faithfully, and that any fear of man, which is a snare, would be replaced by the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and means to hate evil.
It is wise that you are praying for protection from evil men and impostors and from the evil one himself, and for deliverance from temptation, lies and deception. The Lord Jesus prayed for His own to be kept from the evil one, and He taught us to pray to be delivered from evil. It is also right to pray for inner healing and for wisdom. The prophet describes wounds that need binding up, and the Shepherd psalm speaks of restoring the soul. James promises that God gives wisdom generously when we ask, that we may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so we may walk worthy of the Lord, and that our love may abound with knowledge and discernment to choose what is excellent and be blameless.
For yourself, continue to take heed. No one stands in his own strength. We stand only by grace, and God alone is able to keep us from stumbling and to make us stand. As long as we are in this present body we must watch lest we fall, and continue in His kindness. Ask for strength for daily duties, for grace to meet pressing needs, for a renewed mind, and for protection from temptation and deception as well. Continue to seek first His kingdom and to walk in purity, refusing to be unequally yoked and remembering that two cannot walk together unless they are agreed. A shared vision in the Lord and a common commitment to His calling are essential, and any future must be built on both lives being made holy by Him. Do not call clean what God has not cleansed, and do not move forward on promise alone without evidence of a new birth and a sustained, humble walk.
God is patient, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, and His kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. Yet there is also wrath for those who persist in doing evil. Through all generations He has sent prophets and witnesses to warn people to turn, so that some might escape the snare of the devil where they are held captive to do his will. Keep asking Him to raise up faithful messengers and to give you and others clarity, so you may stand perfectly assured in all the will of God.
We will join you in praying that God will convict, hedge with thorns where sin is pursued, grant godly sorrow that works true change, bring healing and wisdom, surround you both and your families with protection from temptation and evil, and work in the church with gentleness and truth so that all involved may fear God, hate evil, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and that God in His kindness can hedge a way with thorns as He did in Hosea, so that a person cannot overtake forbidden lovers and is forced to consider returning. It is right to ask Him to do that, not to harm her but to mercifully prevent further sin and to create space for her to come to her senses, as the prodigal did when he admitted he had sinned against heaven and before others and became willing to take the lowest place. That is the nature of real repentance.
Repentance is more than sorrow. There is a sorrow that is godly and works a change of mind and life, and there is a sorrow of the world that brings death. Many people are sorry for consequences but do not turn. True repentance always shows itself in a change and in fruit that fits repentance and in deeds that prove the heart has turned, as John the Baptist and the apostles taught. It is not only avoiding physical consequences or feeling safe, and it certainly is not using grace as a license for immorality. It is turning from sin to God, receiving His refreshing and walking in a new direction. That is what to pray for, that she would not be deceived and would not mock God by sowing to the flesh, but would bear fruit in keeping with a changed heart.
You are also right to desire that the church and family be involved. Jesus gave a pattern in Matthew 18 for going first personally, then with one or two others, then telling the church, for the sake of restoration. When done rightly this is not harsh but is done gently and firmly, with an eye on ourselves lest we also be tempted, and with the goal that the person might be won and that others might learn to fear sin. It should be done with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, which is living and discerning, and with love, reverence for God and for covenant, and zeal, not with negligence. Pray that those who have said they are willing to speak will do so faithfully, and that any fear of man, which is a snare, would be replaced by the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and means to hate evil.
It is wise that you are praying for protection from evil men and impostors and from the evil one himself, and for deliverance from temptation, lies and deception. The Lord Jesus prayed for His own to be kept from the evil one, and He taught us to pray to be delivered from evil. It is also right to pray for inner healing and for wisdom. The prophet describes wounds that need binding up, and the Shepherd psalm speaks of restoring the soul. James promises that God gives wisdom generously when we ask, that we may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so we may walk worthy of the Lord, and that our love may abound with knowledge and discernment to choose what is excellent and be blameless.
For yourself, continue to take heed. No one stands in his own strength. We stand only by grace, and God alone is able to keep us from stumbling and to make us stand. As long as we are in this present body we must watch lest we fall, and continue in His kindness. Ask for strength for daily duties, for grace to meet pressing needs, for a renewed mind, and for protection from temptation and deception as well. Continue to seek first His kingdom and to walk in purity, refusing to be unequally yoked and remembering that two cannot walk together unless they are agreed. A shared vision in the Lord and a common commitment to His calling are essential, and any future must be built on both lives being made holy by Him. Do not call clean what God has not cleansed, and do not move forward on promise alone without evidence of a new birth and a sustained, humble walk.
God is patient, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, and His kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. Yet there is also wrath for those who persist in doing evil. Through all generations He has sent prophets and witnesses to warn people to turn, so that some might escape the snare of the devil where they are held captive to do his will. Keep asking Him to raise up faithful messengers and to give you and others clarity, so you may stand perfectly assured in all the will of God.
We will join you in praying that God will convict, hedge with thorns where sin is pursued, grant godly sorrow that works true change, bring healing and wisdom, surround you both and your families with protection from temptation and evil, and work in the church with gentleness and truth so that all involved may fear God, hate evil, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
