We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, lifting up ### and his family, asking for Your divine intervention in their lives. Father, we pray first and foremost for their salvation. Your Word tells us in Romans 10:13, "For, 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Lord, we ask that You draw ### and his family to Yourself, that they may come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Open their hearts to receive Your truth, and let them experience the peace and hope that only comes through a personal relationship with You.
We also pray for the conflict ### is involved in to come to an end. The weight of war is heavy, and we ask for Your protection over him and all those serving. Psalm 91:1-2 assures us, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.'" Lord, be his refuge and fortress in these turbulent times. Make a way for him to leave his military service according to Your will, and guide him into the path You have prepared for him.
Now, regarding the relationship you’ve described, we must address this with biblical clarity and love. First, we rejoice that you desire God’s will above your own, and we encourage you to continue seeking Him in all things. However, we must gently but firmly rebuke any notion of pursuing a relationship outside of God’s design. The Bible is clear that believers are to marry fellow believers. 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns, "Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" If ### is not yet a follower of Christ, this relationship cannot proceed in a way that honors God. We urge you to prayerfully consider stepping back from this connection unless and until he surrenders his life to Jesus. Your desire to "settle down" should only be with a godly spouse who shares your faith, as marriage is a sacred covenant before the Lord.
Additionally, the fact that you met online and have been in touch for some time raises concerns about the nature of your relationship. If there has been any emotional or physical intimacy outside of marriage, we must call this what it is: sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 states, "For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God." We exhort you to guard your heart and body, as they belong to the Lord. If this relationship is to move forward, it must be with purity and the intention of marriage to a believer, following a godly courtship under the guidance of Scripture and wise counsel.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we lift up ### and his family to You, asking that You would break the chains of darkness in their lives and draw them to the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we pray for their salvation, that they would come to know You as their Savior and experience the transformative power of Your love. We ask for Your protection over ### as he serves in the military, and we pray for an end to the conflict he is facing. Make a way for him to leave his service according to Your perfect will, and guide him into the plans You have for his life.
Father, we also pray for wisdom and discernment for the one who has written to us. Help her to see this relationship through Your eyes and to align her desires with Your Word. If this connection is not of You, give her the strength to walk away and trust in Your provision for a godly spouse. If there has been any sin in this relationship, we ask for Your forgiveness and cleansing, and we pray for a renewed commitment to purity and holiness. Lead her, Lord, into Your perfect will, and let her heart be fully surrendered to You.
We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we can come before You. There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). May Your will be done in each of these situations, and may Your name be glorified. Amen.
