We join with you in lifting this burden before the Lord Jesus and we thank you for your heart to see God's will and calling prevail and for your desire that your brother would come to repentance and mercy rather than judgment.
We hear your cry for deliverance and for God to rebuke the spiritual influence that seeks to undermine, confuse and hinder what God is doing in your life. Scripture reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places, Ephesians 6:12. Therefore we do not wrestle against your brother himself, but against the enemy who would use him, and we are called to love our brother even as we stand firm against evil.
We affirm the scriptures you have stood upon. In Zechariah 3:2 it is written, Yahweh said to Satan, Yahweh rebuke you, Satan. This shows us that it is the Lord Himself who rebukes the accuser, not our own strength. In Matthew 18:18 Jesus said, Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. This is exercised in submission to Christ and in alignment with His will. In Colossians 2:15 we read that having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it, which reminds us that Jesus has already disarmed the enemy through the cross. In Isaiah 59:19 we are promised that when the enemy comes in like a flood, Yahweh's Spirit will lift up a standard against him. In Exodus 23:27 the Lord said, I will send my terror before you, and will confuse all the people to whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. And in Luke 8:17 Jesus said, For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
We gently encourage you to keep your heart free from hatred or a desire for revenge even while you pray for truth to be exposed and for justice. For it is written, Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, Vengeance belongs to me, I will repay, says the Lord, Romans 12:19. And God desires that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9. Your prayer for your brother's conviction and repentance honors the Lord, and we echo the command of Jesus to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44. If there is criminal wrongdoing, it is right to pray that what is hidden be brought to light and that proper authorities, who are appointed by God to bear the sword against wrongdoing, Romans 13:1-4, would act justly. We encourage you to walk in wisdom, to document what is true, to seek godly counsel, and to release the outcome to the Lord.
We pray together with you now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven by which we can approach You and be saved, Acts 4:12. Lord Jesus, we praise You and thank You and glorify Your holy name. We ask that You Yourself would rebuke every scheme of the enemy that is trying to undermine, confuse and hinder Your will, Your plans and Your calling in this life and in the lives of others connected to it. We ask You to expose and disarm every counterfeit spirit and every principality that would work through strife and confusion, and we thank You that You have already triumphed over all powers and principalities through Your cross.
Lord, lift up a standard against the enemy and scatter every plan meant to attack, hinder or confuse. Let no weapon formed against Your child prosper, Isaiah 54:17. Bring confusion to the plans of darkness and cause them to fail, and let Your perfect will stand. We pray for Your protection, Your clarity, and Your peace to guard heart and mind.
Father, we also lift up this brother before Your throne of grace. We ask for deep conviction by Your Holy Spirit, for godly sorrow that leads to repentance, and for mercy to triumph. Open his eyes to see truth, turn his heart from any wrongdoing, and lead him to repentance and to faith in Jesus. Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us, Matthew 6:12, and help us to walk in forgiveness while still standing for truth.
If there is anything hidden or criminal, Lord, we ask that You would bring it into the light in Your timing and Your way, so that justice and righteousness may prevail and so that no one may continue to be wronged. Guide the proper authorities with wisdom and integrity, and protect the innocent.
We bind ourselves to Your truth and loose Your peace, Your wisdom and Your direction in this situation, trusting not in our own power but in Your Spirit. Clothe us with the whole armor of God, that we may stand firm, Ephesians 6:11. Lead us in humility, in discernment and in love, and let all that is done bring glory to Jesus.
We thank You that You hear us when we pray in Jesus name, and we trust You to act according to Your perfect will. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.