Church

[Dhitlor]

I just came back from church. I have posted before about dealing with spiritual warfare that has targeted me since I was a child. This warfare influences people in my life/environment to do unusually harmful/hateful things to me with the intent of trying to push me toward deep unforgiveness and possibly other things. The people doing these things usually feel deep remorse afterward or don't even remember what they've done. God exposed the presence of this warfare to me months ago and He has been delivering me from it and the unforgiveness that it has caused (and which has kept it in my life). But Satan is still attempting to flare it up. Unfortunately, this warfare also flares up at church especially at certain times like when I take communion. I will go to a church service and everything will be great until I take communion. Then afterward either people at church will start behaving unusually hurtful to me or I myself will struggle with things like unintentionally saying harmful things (and it's like it will just come out, I can't stop it) or coming across mean no matter how hard I'm trying not to. I will also start to feel mentally, emotionally and physically attacked. I understand that this behavior I've mentioned is not the true feelings of my church members toward me but it's still very difficult to deal with. There are also other situations at church (some that involve this warfare I've mentioned and some that don't) that are making it difficult for me to feel safe mentally/emotionally (or comfortable) at church. I really like my church and the people there but at times like this I really struggle to know whether this is where God wants me or not. I also have some issues with the larger Christian community that my church is part of (not the denomination itself but the community that this denomination links itself to) due to certain things that concern me like this community seemingly being blind to their own faults. Also, there are some concerns I have about how many in this Christian community behave when it comes to politics in America (they can be very hateful when it comes to dealing with people who don't agree with them politically and they don't seem to see how this contradicts with their Christian faith; also, they can idolize politicians/political parties never mind the fact that the people they often embrace politically go against many of the very things Christians stand for). Because of these concerns, I wonder if I should have joined a church that views politics more differently. I know people will be sad if I leave this church and I will be too. But I'm very conflicted right now. I have also had to deal with mistreatment from other people outside of church today. I know this is likely due to the warfare I've mentioned and also possibly due to pain I am in due to a medical condition (whenever I'm suffering with pain from this condition, Satan uses people to attack me terribly - taking advantage of how I'm feeling). Please pray for me about all this. Thank you.

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart and the deep spiritual battle you are enduring, and we stand with you in fervent prayer, lifting every concern to the throne of grace in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. The warfare you describe is real, and Scripture confirms that our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). But we also know that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). The attacks you face, especially in moments of communion—a sacred time of remembrance and unity with Christ—are not coincidental. Satan despises the intimacy and victory we have in Jesus, and he will seek to disrupt it by any means. Yet we declare that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn (Isaiah 54:17).

The enemy’s strategy to push you toward unforgiveness is cunning, for he knows that unforgiveness is a prison that keeps us bound in bitterness and separates us from the fullness of God’s peace. Jesus warned us that if we do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will our Father forgive our trespasses (Matthew 6:15). We rebuke the spirit of unforgiveness in your life right now, in Jesus’ name. We also rebuke the spirits of confusion, accusation, and torment that seek to distort your words and actions, especially in the house of God. The harmful words that come out unintentionally are not from you but from the enemy’s influence, and we command that influence to cease. You are a child of God, called to speak life and truth, and we pray that the Holy Spirit would guard your tongue and fill your mouth with His words alone (Psalm 141:3).

The pain you experience at church, particularly after communion, is heartbreaking, and we grieve with you. The body of Christ should be a place of safety, love, and encouragement, not a battleground for spiritual warfare. We pray that God would expose and break every assignment of the enemy against you in that place. We also pray for the members of your church who have been used to harm you, even unknowingly. Father, open their eyes to the schemes of the enemy and soften their hearts toward Your truth. Let them see the love of Christ in their actions and words, and let unity and peace prevail in that congregation.

Your concerns about the larger Christian community and its entanglement with politics are valid and reflect a growing issue within the body of Christ. Scripture warns us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). When we allow politics to divide us or when we idolize leaders over God, we stray from our calling to love one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34-35). The hateful rhetoric and lack of self-awareness you describe are not reflective of the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We pray that God would convict hearts in this community and draw them back to a place of humility, discernment, and Christ-centered unity. If the Lord is leading you to another church, we trust that He will make that path clear to you. Until then, we encourage you to seek His wisdom in prayer and to surround yourself with godly counsel.

The mistreatment you face outside of church, especially when you are physically suffering, is a cruel tactic of the enemy. Satan seeks to isolate you in your pain and use it as an opportunity to attack, but we declare that you are not alone. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). We pray for healing over your medical condition and for God’s strength to sustain you in moments of weakness. We also pray for divine protection over your mind, emotions, and body, that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Let us pray together now:

Heavenly Father, we come before You in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We lift up our brother/sister to You, knowing that You see every battle they face and every tear they have shed. Lord, we ask that You would break every chain of spiritual warfare that has targeted them since childhood. We rebuke the spirits of unforgiveness, confusion, accusation, and torment, and we command them to flee in Jesus’ name. Father, fill our brother/sister with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding their heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Lord, we pray for their church and the larger Christian community they are part of. Expose any blindness to sin and soften hearts to receive Your correction. Let Your love and unity prevail, and let politics never overshadow the call to love one another. If it is Your will for them to remain in this church, we ask that You would restore their sense of safety and comfort there. If You are leading them elsewhere, make that path clear and provide a new church family that will nurture and support them in their faith.

Father, we ask for healing over their medical condition and for Your strength to sustain them in moments of pain. Protect them from the enemy’s attacks, and let no weapon formed against them prosper. Surround them with Your angels, and let Your presence be their refuge and strength. We declare that they are more than conquerors through Christ who loves them (Romans 8:37), and we trust that You will complete the good work You have begun in their life (Philippians 1:6).

Lord, we thank You for the deliverance You have already brought and for the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ. We stand on Your promises and declare that the enemy has no hold over our brother/sister. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit, and let Your light shine brightly in their life, dispelling every darkness. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

We encourage you to continue standing firm in your faith, even when the battle feels overwhelming. The enemy’s attacks are a sign that you are a threat to his kingdom, and that is a testament to the work God is doing in and through you. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2), and remember that you are never alone in this fight. The Lord is your refuge and fortress, and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). If you ever feel led to seek a new church home, trust that God will guide you to the right place at the right time. Until then, lean on Him and on the support of fellow believers who can stand with you in prayer and encouragement. You are deeply loved, and we are honored to intercede on your behalf.

 

[hostadmin]

We're right there with you, dear friend. It's tough when the place you expect to find solace and strength becomes a battlefield. But remember, the enemy can't stand the unity and love we find in Christ, especially during communion. So, he'll do anything to disrupt it. Let's claim the promise in Psalm 56:9 - "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise - in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Let's trust that God is in control and that He will use even these circumstances to draw you closer to Him and to His people. Keep seeking His face, and let's continue to lift you up in prayer. You're not alone.

 

[flora]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.