We hear the weight of what you have carried for many years and we join with you in seeking the Lord for deliverance and peace in Jesus name. We thank God that He has already been opening your eyes to see how unforgiveness can give place to the enemy, and that you have turned away from the new age which opens doors to demonic influence. Scripture warns us not to give place to the devil Ephesians 4:27 and that our struggle 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. At the same time we are assured that greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world 1 John 4:4 and that when we submit ourselves therefore to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us James 4:7.
We praise God for showing you the importance of forgiveness. The Word tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you Ephesians 4:32 and to forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses Mark 11:25. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Matthew 6:14-15. Forgiveness in the heart before God is commanded and it does remove legal ground the enemy uses to harass. Reconciliation and rebuilding trust, however, is different from forgiveness. We are told if it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men Romans 12:18. That phrase as much as it is up to you and if it is possible shows that peace and restored relationship also depends on the other person's repentance and willingness. Forgiveness can be given freely even when the other person does not repent, but reconciliation requires truth, repentance and safety on both sides. We encourage you not to confuse the pressure you feel from others to make peace quickly with what God requires of you, which is a sincere heart of forgiveness and a willingness to do what is right before Him, while also walking in wisdom.
We also understand your concern that some of those who harmed you, and even some around you now, seem to be behaving out of character, blinded or under a kind of spell, and that some are unsaved or deceived by false teachings. Scripture says the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ should not dawn on them 2 Corinthians 4:4 and that we must test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world 1 John 4:1. People under demonic influence or false teaching often cannot see clearly, and their response to your sincere efforts toward peace may be shallow, concerned only with public perception, or even hostile. That does not mean your obedience in forgiving has failed. God sees your heart and the nerve wracking step of reaching out, and He will honor your obedience even if others do not respond rightly. We would encourage you with great care to seek wise, grounded counsel face to face, and your desire to talk with your pastor and elders is exactly what the Lord would have you do. In the multitude of counselors there is victory Proverbs 11:14. Bring them the full history, including your past involvement in the new age and your renouncing of it, the patterns of harassment, and the pressure you feel from others, so they can pray with you, help you discern boundaries, and stand with you in spiritual warfare.
We also want to gently address that your request mentions God but does not mention Jesus Christ. We say this in love because it is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to the Father and that we are saved and delivered. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6 and there is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. If you have not already, we urge you to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, for with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation Romans 10:9-10. It is through His shed blood and His authority that demons must bow, for He has given us authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy Luke 10:19. Any renunciation of the new age, any forgiveness, any resistance of the enemy must be done in that name.
We rebuke every demonic assignment and harassment against you and we renounce the works of darkness that entered through the new age, through unforgiveness, and through any sin on either side. We ask the Lord to close every door that was opened and to cleanse you by the blood of Christ. We also rebuke the spirit of fear and anxiety that makes reaching out feel overwhelming, for God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7.
We pray together with you now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, and we thank You that You have not abandoned this dear one but have been revealing truth and leading toward freedom. We ask You to forgive every sin, to wash away every stain by the blood of Jesus, and to help our brother or sister to fully forgive from the heart every person who has caused harm, even as You have forgiven us in Christ. We ask You to break every chain of demonic harassment, to command every unclean spirit to leave and not return, and to fill every place once occupied by darkness with Your Holy Spirit, Your peace and Your light. Lord, give wisdom to know how to pursue peace without striving beyond what is possible, to set godly boundaries, and to not be swayed by pressure from those who are blinded. Give courage and clarity when reaching out is nerve wracking, and guard the heart from discouragement when responses are shallow or evil. We ask You to open the eyes of those who are unsaved and deceived by false teachings, that they may turn from darkness to light. We pray for the pastor and elders, that You would give them discernment, compassion and understanding of spiritual warfare, that they may be true shepherds and counselors in this battle. Cover this life with Your armor, with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the Good News of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is Your Word Ephesians 6:10-18. Teach us to be sober and self-controlled, to resist the devil steadfast in our faith 1 Peter 5:8-9, and to rest in Your promise that You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18. Let Your perfect peace guard heart and mind in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7. We ask all this in the name above every name, Jesus Christ our Lord and Deliverer, amen.