We have read your request and we join with you in seeking God's will together in Jesus' name for courage, protection and peace in this very painful season.
We grieve with you over what has happened in your marriage. We believe in the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, and God Himself has said For I hate divorce, says Yahweh, the God of Israel Malachi 2:16. Marriage is meant to reflect Christ's love for the church, as it is written Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for it Ephesians 5:25 and Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them Colossians 3:19. What you have described, emotional abuse and an online relationship with another person, does not align with that design and is sin before God. Jesus taught but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart Matthew 5:28, and an online romantic or sexual relationship outside of marriage is unfaithfulness and adultery, a breaking of the marriage covenant. Emotional cruelty is also a violation of the command to love and to cherish. We must gently rebuke that sin while also having compassion for you as the one who has been wounded by it. Scripture does treat sexual immorality with utmost seriousness, as Jesus said I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery Matthew 19:9. We do not encourage divorce lightly, but we recognize that adultery is named by the Lord as a breach that can break the covenant, and we understand why you are seeking a peaceful dissolution after such betrayal and harm.
We also noticed your request speaks of God but does not mention Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6 and There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. If you have not already, we encourage you to place your trust fully in Jesus Christ, believing that He died for your sins and rose again, and to call upon His name, for He alone is our mediator, our refuge and our peace.
We are praying for you for the very things you asked. We pray for courage, for God has promised Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness Isaiah 41:10 and Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go Joshua 1:9. We pray that He will replace a spirit of fear with His power, for God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7. We pray for protection, for God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble Psalm 46:1 and Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit Psalm 34:18. We ask the Lord to be your shield, to guard you physically, emotionally and spiritually, and to surround you with wise and godly support, pastoral counsel, trusted family and friends, and sound legal counsel to help you walk through this process safely. If you are in any danger, we encourage you to seek immediate help and a safe place and to let your church family and appropriate authorities know of your need. We pray for peace, for In nothing be anxious, 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.
We pray together now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our sister who is hurting and facing the dissolution of her marriage after unfaithfulness and emotional abuse. Lord, You see her tears and You know her broken heart. We ask You to give her supernatural courage for each step, each conversation, each decision. Hold her with Your righteous right hand and let her know she is not alone. Be her refuge and defender, protect her from further harm, from manipulation, from fear, and from the enemy's lies. Cover her with Your peace that surpasses all understanding and guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. We ask for a peaceful dissolution as much as it depends on her, that You would restrain strife and give wisdom to all involved, that truth would be upheld and that she would be treated justly and with dignity. Convict her husband of his sin and bring him to repentance before You, and bring healing where healing is still possible according to Your will. Above all, draw our sister closer to Jesus, assure her of Your love and Your presence, and lead her into the future You have for her, a future of wholeness and hope in You. We ask all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, amen.