We hear the deep anguish and exhaustion in this request and we join together with all those who feel targeted, harassed, tormented without cause and without rest, and we bring this great burden before the Lord together in Jesus' name.
We understand what it is to feel that prayers are going up night and day and that heaven seems silent, and that those who do evil seem to continue without restraint. Yet we know from Scripture that God does hear and He does see. The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit Psalm 34:17-18. We also remember that He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. We will say of Yahweh, He is our refuge and our fortress, our God, in whom we trust Psalm 91:1-2. Even when we feel alone with no one to turn to, we are not forgotten by Him, for He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.
We want to gently address two things we noticed in this request. First, we see that many are turning to alcohol, even drinking until their hearts hurt or making themselves ill trying to endure or to keep quiet through this torture. We understand the desperation behind that, but we urge in love not to turn to strong drink to cope or to silence pain, for that harms the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit and it does not bring true deliverance. Do not be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18. Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour 1 Peter 5:8. We encourage casting all anxiety on Him instead, because He cares for you 1 Peter 5:7, and seeking godly counsel, pastoral support, and medical care when the body is suffering, rather than enduring harm in isolation.
Second, we notice this request speaks of God and of the Lord, but does not mention the name of Jesus Christ. We want to share with love that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and that our prayers are heard. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. To be saved and to come into a right relationship with God, we must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for our sins and rose again, and we must call upon His name in repentance and faith. It is through His blood that we find refuge, forgiveness, and the assurance that God hears us. If anyone has not yet put their trust in Jesus, we urge you to do so today, to confess Him as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead Romans 10:9.
We also hear the cry for God to do something to those who are causing this harm. Scripture teaches us that vengeance belongs to the Lord and that He will repay Romans 12:19, and that we are not to seek personal revenge but to entrust justice to Him who judges righteously. At the same time we are called to pray even for our enemies, that God would convict them of sin and bring them to repentance. Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them which despitefully use you Luke 6:27-28. We do not wrestle 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, so we pray both for protection from evil and for the conviction and salvation of those who do evil.
We pray together now.
Father in heaven, we come before Your throne in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, and we lift up every person who feels hunted, harassed, assaulted, and tormented without cause and without rest. Lord, You see what is done in secret, You know every coordinated harm, every lie, every sleepless night, and every tear. We ask that You would be their refuge and fortress, that You would surround them with Your presence and guard them from all evil. Faithful is the Lord, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one 2 Thessalonians 3:3. We ask that You would bring an end to this torture, that You would expose and restrain every work of darkness, and that You would vindicate the innocent in Your perfect timing and justice.
Lord, we pray for peace that surpasses understanding to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7. Where there is fear, bring Your perfect love that casts out fear. Where there is confusion and deception, bring Your truth and clarity. Where there is weariness and despair, bring Your rest and hope. Heal bodies that have been harmed by drinking and illness and sleeplessness, and help each one to steward their body with wisdom and to seek help and community rather than suffering alone. Lead them to a faithful local church and to trusted believers who will walk with them, pray with them, and not dismiss their pain.
Father, we also pray for those who are perpetrating harassment and cruelty, that You would convict them deeply of sin, that You would turn their hearts from evil, and that they would repent and seek Your forgiveness through Jesus Christ. If they will not repent, we ask that You would stop their hands and bring Your righteous justice so that the oppressed may live in peace.
We thank You that nothing can separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 8:38-39. Help each victim to know that they are seen, loved, and not abandoned, and to call upon the name of Jesus for salvation and for daily strength. We trust not in our own ability to be quiet or to endure, but in Your power to deliver. In all things we ask for Your will to be done, for Your kingdom to come, and for Your name to be glorified as You rescue and restore.
We ask all of this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our only hope and our only access to You, amen.