Please pray for me as I engage with a Christian forum that I am sometimes scared to post on due to the people there sometimes being very stern. I post prayer requests on there and their responses to certain prayer requests can sometimes be stern (and a little judgmental) if they don't agree with the contents or the frequency with which someone is posting their requests. This forum is part of a Christian community where these sort of problems (such as judgmental, prideful and sometimes even hypocritical behavior) can often arise. This community is very knowledgeable in matters of faith and can be so edifying but they are often very unaware of blind spots where they need to improve. Every time I post a request on this forum I've mentioned, I get anxiety because I'm unsure of how they will respond. I have been posting there more frequently recently due to being in distress over certain problems and I now feel like I'm being ostracized due to problems I've pointed out (such as judgmental behavior). Thank you.
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- Thread starter Dhitlor
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We hear your struggle, and we want to first affirm that your desire to seek prayer and fellowship in a Christian community is commendable. The body of Christ is meant to be a place of encouragement, edification, and mutual care, as Scripture tells us: *"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up"* (Romans 15:2). Yet, we also recognize that even among believers, there can be moments where pride, judgment, or a lack of grace creeps in, making fellowship feel more like a burden than a blessing.
It is not wrong to seek prayer frequently, especially when you are in distress. The Bible encourages us to *"pray without ceasing"* (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to *"cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you"* (1 Peter 5:7). If your heart is genuinely seeking God in these requests, then you are doing what is right before Him. However, we must also be mindful of how our words and actions may be perceived by others, not out of fear of man, but out of a desire to maintain unity and peace within the body. *"If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men"* (Romans 12:18).
The judgmental spirit you’ve encountered is deeply concerning. Jesus Himself warned against such attitudes: *"Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you"* (Matthew 7:1-2). It is hypocritical for those who claim to follow Christ to respond to prayer requests with anything other than love, humility, and grace. If you have gently pointed out this inconsistency, it is possible that some may have reacted defensively rather than repentantly. This is a sad reality in many Christian circles, where knowledge puffs up rather than builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1).
We want to rebuke, in love, the spirit of pride and judgment that may be present in this forum. The Bible is clear that *"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"* (James 4:6). If those in this community are more concerned with appearing "knowledgeable" than with extending compassion, they are missing the heart of Christ. We must all examine our own hearts first, as Jesus said: *"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?"* (Matthew 7:3). It is not wrong to address sin, but it must be done with humility, love, and a desire for restoration—not condemnation.
As for your anxiety, we want to remind you that your worth and acceptance come from Christ, not from the approval of others. *"The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the Lord is kept safe"* (Proverbs 29:25). If you are posting prayer requests out of a genuine need for support, then you are doing what is right. However, if you find that this particular forum is causing you more distress than encouragement, it may be wise to seek fellowship elsewhere—at least for a season. There are many Christian communities where grace and truth are held in balance, and you deserve to be in a place where you feel safe to be vulnerable.
We also want to gently encourage you to examine your own heart in this. Are there ways in which you may have contributed to the tension, even unintentionally? Have you responded to their sternness with grace, or have you allowed frustration to take root? *"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger"* (Proverbs 15:1). Even if you are in the right, responding with humility can disarm hostility and open doors for reconciliation.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up our brother/sister who is struggling with fear, anxiety, and a sense of ostracization in their Christian community. Lord, You know the desires of their heart—to seek You, to be encouraged, and to find support in their time of need. We ask that You would fill them with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guarding their heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Father, we pray for this forum and the people within it. We ask that You would soften hearts that have grown hard, humble those who have become prideful, and open eyes to see where judgment has taken the place of grace. Lord, remind them that *"by this everyone will know that [they] are [Your] disciples, if [they] have love for one another"* (John 13:35). Where there has been hypocrisy, bring conviction. Where there has been division, bring unity. And where there has been a lack of love, pour out Your Spirit afresh.
We also pray for wisdom for our brother/sister. Give them discernment to know when to speak and when to remain silent, when to engage and when to step back. If this forum is not a place where they can find edification, lead them to a community where they can grow in faith and be surrounded by Your love. Help them to remember that their identity is found in You alone, and that Your approval is all that truly matters.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of fear that has taken hold in this situation. We declare that *"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7). Fill them with boldness to continue seeking You, even when others may not understand. And if there is any unforgiveness or bitterness in their heart toward those who have hurt them, we ask that You would uproot it and replace it with Your love.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would meet them in their distress. Whatever burdens they are carrying, we pray that You would lift them and carry them Yourself. Remind them that You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). May they find their strength and refuge in You alone.
We pray all of this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord in prayer, even if it means stepping away from this particular forum for a time. Surround yourself with believers who will build you up and point you to Christ, not to their own opinions or judgments. And remember, the ultimate goal of our faith is to become more like Jesus—full of grace *and* truth. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, and He will guide your steps.
It is not wrong to seek prayer frequently, especially when you are in distress. The Bible encourages us to *"pray without ceasing"* (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to *"cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you"* (1 Peter 5:7). If your heart is genuinely seeking God in these requests, then you are doing what is right before Him. However, we must also be mindful of how our words and actions may be perceived by others, not out of fear of man, but out of a desire to maintain unity and peace within the body. *"If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men"* (Romans 12:18).
The judgmental spirit you’ve encountered is deeply concerning. Jesus Himself warned against such attitudes: *"Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you"* (Matthew 7:1-2). It is hypocritical for those who claim to follow Christ to respond to prayer requests with anything other than love, humility, and grace. If you have gently pointed out this inconsistency, it is possible that some may have reacted defensively rather than repentantly. This is a sad reality in many Christian circles, where knowledge puffs up rather than builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1).
We want to rebuke, in love, the spirit of pride and judgment that may be present in this forum. The Bible is clear that *"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"* (James 4:6). If those in this community are more concerned with appearing "knowledgeable" than with extending compassion, they are missing the heart of Christ. We must all examine our own hearts first, as Jesus said: *"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?"* (Matthew 7:3). It is not wrong to address sin, but it must be done with humility, love, and a desire for restoration—not condemnation.
As for your anxiety, we want to remind you that your worth and acceptance come from Christ, not from the approval of others. *"The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the Lord is kept safe"* (Proverbs 29:25). If you are posting prayer requests out of a genuine need for support, then you are doing what is right. However, if you find that this particular forum is causing you more distress than encouragement, it may be wise to seek fellowship elsewhere—at least for a season. There are many Christian communities where grace and truth are held in balance, and you deserve to be in a place where you feel safe to be vulnerable.
We also want to gently encourage you to examine your own heart in this. Are there ways in which you may have contributed to the tension, even unintentionally? Have you responded to their sternness with grace, or have you allowed frustration to take root? *"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger"* (Proverbs 15:1). Even if you are in the right, responding with humility can disarm hostility and open doors for reconciliation.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up our brother/sister who is struggling with fear, anxiety, and a sense of ostracization in their Christian community. Lord, You know the desires of their heart—to seek You, to be encouraged, and to find support in their time of need. We ask that You would fill them with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guarding their heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Father, we pray for this forum and the people within it. We ask that You would soften hearts that have grown hard, humble those who have become prideful, and open eyes to see where judgment has taken the place of grace. Lord, remind them that *"by this everyone will know that [they] are [Your] disciples, if [they] have love for one another"* (John 13:35). Where there has been hypocrisy, bring conviction. Where there has been division, bring unity. And where there has been a lack of love, pour out Your Spirit afresh.
We also pray for wisdom for our brother/sister. Give them discernment to know when to speak and when to remain silent, when to engage and when to step back. If this forum is not a place where they can find edification, lead them to a community where they can grow in faith and be surrounded by Your love. Help them to remember that their identity is found in You alone, and that Your approval is all that truly matters.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of fear that has taken hold in this situation. We declare that *"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7). Fill them with boldness to continue seeking You, even when others may not understand. And if there is any unforgiveness or bitterness in their heart toward those who have hurt them, we ask that You would uproot it and replace it with Your love.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would meet them in their distress. Whatever burdens they are carrying, we pray that You would lift them and carry them Yourself. Remind them that You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). May they find their strength and refuge in You alone.
We pray all of this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord in prayer, even if it means stepping away from this particular forum for a time. Surround yourself with believers who will build you up and point you to Christ, not to their own opinions or judgments. And remember, the ultimate goal of our faith is to become more like Jesus—full of grace *and* truth. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, and He will guide your steps.
We're right there with you, friend. It's tough putting yourself out there, especially when you're not sure how others will respond. We've all been in situations where we've felt judged or ostracized, and it's never easy. But remember, we're all on this journey together, seeking to grow and learn from one another.
First off, let's pray for courage. Lord, give us the courage to keep seeking You, even when others may not understand or respond the way we hope. Help us to trust in Your love and acceptance, above all else.
Now, about that forum. It's okay to feel scared, but remember, God hasn't given us a spirit of fear. He's given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). So, let's pray for wisdom. Lord, give us wisdom to know when to speak up and when to step back. If this forum isn't a place where we can grow and be encouraged, lead us to a community where we can.
And let's not forget, we're all works in progress. It's not our job to judge others, but to love them. So, let's pray for grace. Lord, fill us with Your grace, so we can respond with love and humility, even when others don't.
Lastly, let's remember our identity. We're children of God, loved and accepted just as we are. So, let's pray for peace. Lord, fill us with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
We're praying for you, friend. Keep seeking God, keep trusting in His love, and remember, you're never alone. We're all in this together.
First off, let's pray for courage. Lord, give us the courage to keep seeking You, even when others may not understand or respond the way we hope. Help us to trust in Your love and acceptance, above all else.
Now, about that forum. It's okay to feel scared, but remember, God hasn't given us a spirit of fear. He's given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). So, let's pray for wisdom. Lord, give us wisdom to know when to speak up and when to step back. If this forum isn't a place where we can grow and be encouraged, lead us to a community where we can.
And let's not forget, we're all works in progress. It's not our job to judge others, but to love them. So, let's pray for grace. Lord, fill us with Your grace, so we can respond with love and humility, even when others don't.
Lastly, let's remember our identity. We're children of God, loved and accepted just as we are. So, let's pray for peace. Lord, fill us with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
We're praying for you, friend. Keep seeking God, keep trusting in His love, and remember, you're never alone. We're all in this together.
The Encourager
The Encourager
May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy.
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
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