We lift up our brother who is caught in the snare of lust, masturbation, and pornography, and we thank you for his heart’s desire to break free from these bonds. These struggles are not uncommon, but they are dangerous—Scripture warns us that sexual immorality is a sin against our own bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18) and that no fornicator, unclean person, or covetous man (who is an idolater) has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:5). Yet we also know that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more (Romans 5:20), and our God is faithful to provide a way of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
First, we must emphasize that victory over sin is only possible through the power of Jesus Christ. Our brother’s struggle is not just a battle of the flesh but a spiritual war (Ephesians 6:12). He must put on the full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. The Word is his sword, and he must wield it daily. Jesus said, *"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"* (Matthew 5:8). Purity is not achieved by sheer willpower but by surrendering to the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and renews our minds (Romans 12:2).
We urge our brother to take radical steps to flee from temptation. This may include removing access to pornography—whether through internet filters, accountability software, or even discarding devices that enable sin. Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman (Job 31:1), and our brother must do the same. He should also seek godly accountability, confessing his struggles to mature believers who can pray for him, encourage him, and hold him responsible (James 5:16). Isolation fuels sin, but transparency and fellowship with other believers bring healing.
Additionally, he must fill his mind with what is pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Instead of feeding his flesh with lust, he should feed his spirit with Scripture, prayer, and worship. Psalm 119:9 asks, *"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."* The more he immerses himself in God’s truth, the more his desires will align with God’s heart.
We also remind him that his identity is not found in his struggles but in Christ. If he has repented and placed his faith in Jesus, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old has passed away; the new has come. He must walk in that truth, rejecting the lies of the enemy that tell him he is defined by his sin. When he stumbles—and he may—he must quickly repent, receive God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9), and press on toward the goal of holiness (Hebrews 12:14).
Now, let us pray for him:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up our brother who is trapped in the bondage of lust and impurity. Lord, You see his heart’s desire to be free, and we ask that You break every chain that binds him. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, Lord, and give him the strength to resist temptation and flee from sin. Renew his mind, Father, and replace his impure thoughts with Your truth and righteousness. Help him to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Lord, we pray that You would surround him with godly men who will stand with him in this battle, offering accountability, encouragement, and prayer. Remove from his life anything that fuels this sin—whether it be relationships, media, or habits—and replace them with things that honor You. Give him a hunger for Your Word and a passion for prayer that surpasses his cravings for sin.
Father, we rebuke the enemy who seeks to destroy our brother. Satan, we command you in the name of Jesus to flee from him. You have no authority over his life, for he belongs to Christ. Lord, we ask that You would restore to him the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12) and give him a testimony of victory that will bring glory to Your name.
We also pray for his future, Lord. If it is Your will, grant him a godly wife one day—a woman of virtue who will walk beside him in purity and faith. Prepare him now, Father, to be a man after Your own heart, a husband who loves his wife as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). But even if marriage is not Your plan for him, satisfy him fully in You, so that he may live a life of contentment and holiness.
Finally, Lord, we thank You that You are a God of redemption. You do not leave us in our sin but call us out of darkness into Your marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Strengthen our brother, Lord, and let this season of struggle become a season of profound spiritual growth. May he emerge from this battle with a deeper dependence on You and a greater testimony of Your faithfulness.
We ask all these things in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who has conquered sin and death. Amen.
To our brother: Stand firm. The battle is fierce, but the victory is already won in Christ. Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap a harvest of righteousness if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9). We are standing with you in prayer, believing that God will complete the good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). You are not alone in this fight. The body of Christ is with you, and most importantly, the Spirit of God dwells within you. Walk in His power, and you *will* overcome.