We hear your heart in this and we are bringing you, your mother, and this family friend before the Lord together in Jesus' name. We understand the tension you feel between wanting to honor your commitments at home and work, and also wanting to show love to someone who is struggling and perhaps not remembering things clearly. We also understand not wanting to walk into negativity when you are already carrying other burdens.
We want to gently encourage you to see this visit through the lens of biblical love and service. The Word tells us to Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 and I was sick and you visited me. Matthew 25:36 Even when it is inconvenient or when we feel we will not be appreciated, we are called to not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 It is understandable that you do not feel like dealing with negativity, but love is patient and is kind, love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 13:7 If your mother feels led to go and you are to go with her, we encourage you to honor her and go with a spirit of grace, as we are told Honor your father and your mother. Exodus 20:12 That does not mean you must have no boundaries, but it does mean we should check our own hearts when we say we just do not want to be bothered, and ask the Lord to give us His compassion instead of our own reluctance. If he is heavily medicated or confused and says things that are not true, we can respond with gentleness and not take offense, remembering that love keeps no record of wrongs.
We also take seriously what you shared about the possibility of demonic oppression through false teachings and practices. Scripture is clear that our struggle is real and spiritual, for our wrestling 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 False teaching does open a door to deception, and we must pray for this dear friend to be set free by the truth, for you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:32 We should pray for his deliverance, for clarity of mind, and that he would turn to sound doctrine and to Christ alone. We also pray for your protection and discernment as you visit, that you would put on the whole armor of God and speak only truth in love.
Regarding your business, we hear your honest request to not grow lazy and to persevere. That is a godly desire. The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4 and Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men. Colossians 3:23 We pray the Lord gives you diligence, focus, and discipline to steward well what He has entrusted to you, and that you would find the right balance between diligent work and showing mercy to others. Laziness is not pleasing to God, but neither is using work as an excuse to avoid a divine opportunity to show mercy if He is calling you to go.
We noticed your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly remind you that it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6 and there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 There is no other name by which we can be saved, for whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 It is by putting our faith in Jesus, His death and resurrection for our sins, that our prayers are heard. We pray you are resting in Him as your Savior.
We pray together now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We lift up this dear one, their mother, and this family friend to You. Lord, give wisdom about this visit today. If it is Your will for them to go, give a willing heart, words seasoned with grace, and protection from any negativity or spiritual oppression. Touch this friend's mind and body, clear any confusion from medication or other factors, and deliver him from any demonic influence and from every false teaching that has led him astray. Draw him to Your truth and to Your Son. Lord, we also ask You to strengthen this dear one in their business, to give perseverance, diligence, and a strong work ethic for Your glory, and to help them not give in to laziness or selfishness but to do all things in love and for Your honor. Fill them with Your peace and let Your will be done in all these things. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.