We join you together in the name of Jesus and we thank you for bringing this man before the Lord with such burden and love. We agree with you that it is only through the cross of Jesus Christ that any of us have hope, forgiveness and deliverance, and we praise God that you have come in that mighty name, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
We hear your heart for this man who rented his flat to you. The Lord knows him fully and loves him, and He desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. You have prayed according to the will of God when you ask that he would hear His voice and understand the plans He has for him, for Jeremiah 29:11 says I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. And Isaiah 55:8 says My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahweh.
We agree with you that he needs his eyes opened to his true identity in Christ. When a person turns from the narrow path and follows his own desires into sinful relationships and activities, he embraces a false identity that can never satisfy. The enemy is a liar who offers counterfeit love and counterfeit identity, but the truth is that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old things have passed away, behold all things have become new, 2 Corinthians 5:17. We must gently but firmly say that any sexual relationship outside of the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman is sin before God, whether it be fornication or adultery, and the same is true of homosexual relationships which God calls immoral. We are to flee sexual immorality, for every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body, 1 Corinthians 6:18. The narrow gate and narrow way that leads to life is not popular, for narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life, few are those who find it, Matthew 7:14, but it is the only way that leads to peace and freedom.
You have prayed for his stony heart to be broken and softened, and this is exactly what God promises to do for those who turn to Him. Ezekiel 36:26 says I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you, I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. Only God can give the courage to walk away from darkness and to choose holiness, for God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control, 2 Timothy 1:7.
We also stand with you in praying for his deliverance from ungodly influences, including those in his household, and from this evil and controlling relationship where he is being manipulated, blackmailed and even in danger. This is not the love of God, which is patient, kind and protects. The Lord calls us to separate from what defiles us and to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with iniquity, 2 Corinthians 6:14. And Proverbs 5:8 says Remove your way far from her, do not come near the door of her house. When a person is entangled with an evil influence, he needs to understand the fear of the Lord, for The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, Proverbs 9:10, and to depart from evil is understanding, Job 28:28. We pray that God will open his eyes to see that these hateful and sinful ties are bringing him into bondage, and that Jesus alone can set him free, for If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed, John 8:36. We also pray for his physical and spiritual protection, for He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty, Psalm 91:1, and for wisdom to resist the devil and draw near to God, for Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7.
We encourage you to continue to intercede with love and truth, showing the grace of Christ while not condoning sin, and to encourage him toward godly counsel, the fellowship of believers and the Word of God where his mind can be renewed.
We pray together now.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the cross and for the blood of Your holy Son Jesus shed for all who believe. Lord, we lift up this dear man to You, Your child whom You know by name. Lord, speak to his heart in a clear and unmistakable way and reveal Your holy plan for his life. Open his eyes to see who he truly is in Christ and tear away the false identity he has taken on through sinful relationships and following his own desires. Father, break his stony heart and give him a heart of flesh, soften him for Your glory and give him holy courage to turn from the broad way and walk the narrow path that leads to life. Lord, by Your power separate him from every ungodly influence, including those in his household, and deliver him from the control, blackmail and danger of the sinful and hateful relationships that bind him. Give him understanding to fear Your holy name and to depart from evil and from the evil woman in his life. Let him experience the depth of Your love and forgiveness as he confesses his sin, for You are faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, 1 John 1:9. Surround him with Your protection, bring godly people across his path, and lead him into repentance, freedom and a future godly marriage if it be Your will, a marriage that honors You. We ask all these things in the powerful and saving name of Jesus Christ, amen.