Silas
Beloved of All
Thank you for sharing your heart so honestly and for bringing this burden to the Lord in prayer. I hear your desire to be free from harassment and turmoil and to live in the peace that God promises to His children, and I join you in asking Him for His protection and deliverance.
The first thing Scripture shows us is that in order to know the peace of God in our daily lives, we must have peace with God. That peace is only possible through Jesus Christ, for He made peace through His blood shed on the cross. When we turn to Him and receive forgiveness of sins, the war with God is over. We are no longer running from Him or fighting against Him, and a deep inner peace comes as we know we belong to Him.
There is also the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds day by day. The prophet Isaiah says God will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on Him, because that person trusts in Him. Jesus said to His disciples, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. The apostle Paul speaks of a peace that passes all human understanding that will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The world cannot understand this peace, because it does not come from circumstances being calm, but from our minds being fixed on the Lord and trusting that He will take care of what concerns us. As you keep your thoughts turned toward Christ rather than fixed on the conflict next door, His peace can fill your heart even while the situation around you is still difficult.
You mentioned John 8:36, that if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed, and Colossians 2:15, that Christ has triumphed over powers and authorities. That is true and it is our confidence. Jesus has already won the victory over every spiritual power, and He is able to keep you, to strengthen you, and to deliver you. You can ask Him to guard your life and home, to ordain peace for you, and to work on your behalf, for His thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope.
God also calls us to live as people of peace toward those around us. His wisdom from above is peaceable, and Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Those who sow peace reap a harvest of righteousness. That does not mean we approve of what is wrong, and Scripture is clear that sexual intimacy belongs only within the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and God calls us to keep away from what corrupts. It does mean we are not to let hatred or imagining evil against a neighbor take root in our hearts, for God hates slander and deceit and desires truth and fairness toward our neighbors. Even when we live near those whose lives are not right with God, we are to seek the peace of the place where God has placed us and to pray for it, knowing that in seeking peace we reflect Him. And while you have wisely said you are not called to directly confront this woman, you can still pray for her as someone who needs the same healing and forgiveness that Christ offers to all, whether far off or near. He offers peace and healing to those who will come to Him, but there is no lasting peace for those who remain in rebellion against Him.
So let me pray for you. Lord Jesus, thank You that You made peace through Your blood and that You offer freedom to all who trust in You. I ask that You would give this dear one peace with You in full assurance, and then the daily peace that guards heart and mind as their mind is stayed on You. Keep them in perfect peace as they trust You. Cover them with Your protection, break the power of harassment and hatred directed toward them, and bring quietness to this situation according to Your will. Fill their heart with Your peace that passes understanding, and help them to sow peace and not harbor bitterness. I also ask that You would have mercy on the woman next door, open her eyes to her need for You, and bring her to repentance and to the true freedom and healing that only You can give. Work in both lives for Your glory and ordain Your peace. In Jesus name, amen.
The first thing Scripture shows us is that in order to know the peace of God in our daily lives, we must have peace with God. That peace is only possible through Jesus Christ, for He made peace through His blood shed on the cross. When we turn to Him and receive forgiveness of sins, the war with God is over. We are no longer running from Him or fighting against Him, and a deep inner peace comes as we know we belong to Him.
There is also the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds day by day. The prophet Isaiah says God will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on Him, because that person trusts in Him. Jesus said to His disciples, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. The apostle Paul speaks of a peace that passes all human understanding that will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The world cannot understand this peace, because it does not come from circumstances being calm, but from our minds being fixed on the Lord and trusting that He will take care of what concerns us. As you keep your thoughts turned toward Christ rather than fixed on the conflict next door, His peace can fill your heart even while the situation around you is still difficult.
You mentioned John 8:36, that if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed, and Colossians 2:15, that Christ has triumphed over powers and authorities. That is true and it is our confidence. Jesus has already won the victory over every spiritual power, and He is able to keep you, to strengthen you, and to deliver you. You can ask Him to guard your life and home, to ordain peace for you, and to work on your behalf, for His thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope.
God also calls us to live as people of peace toward those around us. His wisdom from above is peaceable, and Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Those who sow peace reap a harvest of righteousness. That does not mean we approve of what is wrong, and Scripture is clear that sexual intimacy belongs only within the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and God calls us to keep away from what corrupts. It does mean we are not to let hatred or imagining evil against a neighbor take root in our hearts, for God hates slander and deceit and desires truth and fairness toward our neighbors. Even when we live near those whose lives are not right with God, we are to seek the peace of the place where God has placed us and to pray for it, knowing that in seeking peace we reflect Him. And while you have wisely said you are not called to directly confront this woman, you can still pray for her as someone who needs the same healing and forgiveness that Christ offers to all, whether far off or near. He offers peace and healing to those who will come to Him, but there is no lasting peace for those who remain in rebellion against Him.
So let me pray for you. Lord Jesus, thank You that You made peace through Your blood and that You offer freedom to all who trust in You. I ask that You would give this dear one peace with You in full assurance, and then the daily peace that guards heart and mind as their mind is stayed on You. Keep them in perfect peace as they trust You. Cover them with Your protection, break the power of harassment and hatred directed toward them, and bring quietness to this situation according to Your will. Fill their heart with Your peace that passes understanding, and help them to sow peace and not harbor bitterness. I also ask that You would have mercy on the woman next door, open her eyes to her need for You, and bring her to repentance and to the true freedom and healing that only You can give. Work in both lives for Your glory and ordain Your peace. In Jesus name, amen.
