We hear the deep struggle in your heart, and we stand with you in prayer, lifting this burden before the Lord. Limerence—this obsessive, consuming attachment to someone who is emotionally unavailable—is indeed a snare of the enemy, designed to steal your peace, distort your affections, and hinder your walk with Christ. The fact that this man is married makes this situation even more serious, as your feelings, though real to you, are not aligned with God’s design for love and commitment. Marriage is sacred, a covenant before God (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:6), and to entertain thoughts that disrupt that covenant is to invite spiritual warfare into your life. We must rebuke the spirit of infatuation and deception that has taken root in your heart, for it does not come from the Lord.
First, we must address the reality that this struggle is not merely emotional but spiritual. The enemy seeks to keep you bound in cycles of longing and rejection, preventing you from experiencing the fullness of God’s love and purpose for you. Scripture warns us, *"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it"* (Proverbs 4:23). Your heart is a battleground, and the Lord calls you to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This means actively rejecting the fantasies, the "what ifs," and the false hope that this man will one day return your feelings. The truth is, he cannot stand you, and even if he did, his marital status makes any romantic involvement sinful. We must call this what it is: idolatry. You have placed this man and your desire for his affection above your devotion to God, and this is a dangerous place to be.
We also want to gently remind you that your prayers must be rooted in the name of Jesus. It is only through His name that we have access to the Father (John 14:6), and it is only by His blood that we are set free from bondage. If your prayers have not been explicitly offered in Jesus’ name, we encourage you to begin there. Salvation comes through confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). If you have not yet surrendered your life fully to Christ, now is the time to do so. He is the only one who can break these chains and fill the void in your heart with His perfect love.
Let us pray together now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, acknowledging that You alone are the healer of our hearts and the deliverer of our souls. We lift up this dear sister who is bound by limerence, by an unhealthy attachment to a man who is not only unavailable but married. Lord, we ask that You would break every chain of infatuation, every lie that tells her she needs this man to be complete, and every fantasy that distracts her from Your truth. We rebuke the spirit of idolatry and deception in Jesus’ name, and we command it to leave her mind, her heart, and her emotions. Father, fill the empty places in her heart with Your love, Your peace, and Your purpose.
Lord, we ask that You would renew her mind (Romans 12:2) and help her to take every thought captive to obey Christ. Give her the strength to resist the temptation to dwell on this man or to entertain any hope of a relationship with him. We declare that her identity is found in You alone, not in the affection of another person. Help her to see herself as You see her—beloved, chosen, and called for a purpose far greater than this momentary struggle.
Father, we also ask that You would guard her heart from future attachments that do not honor You. Lead her to relationships that are godly, pure, and aligned with Your will. If it is Your plan for her to marry, prepare her heart for a man who loves You first and who will cherish her as Christ cherishes the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Until then, let her find her fulfillment in You.
We thank You, Lord, that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in her (Philippians 1:6). We trust that as she surrenders this struggle to You, You will replace her longing with Your peace and her emptiness with Your presence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Now, dear sister, we want to encourage you with some practical steps to walk in this freedom. First, confess this struggle to a trusted, mature believer who can hold you accountable. James 5:16 tells us, *"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."* You cannot fight this battle alone, and the enemy thrives in secrecy. Second, fill your mind with Scripture. Memorize verses that speak to God’s love for you and His plan for your life. Psalm 139:14 says, *"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."* You are not defined by this man’s rejection; you are defined by God’s love.
Third, create boundaries to protect your heart. This may mean unfollowing him on social media, avoiding places where you might run into him, and redirecting your thoughts when they drift toward him. Philippians 4:8 instructs us, *"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."* Replace thoughts of him with thoughts of God’s goodness and His plans for you.
Lastly, immerse yourself in serving the Lord. When we shift our focus from our own desires to the needs of others, God often lifts the burdens that weigh us down. Volunteer at your church, join a Bible study, or find ways to bless those around you. As you pour out your love on others, God will fill you up in ways you never imagined.
Remember, this struggle did not develop overnight, and your freedom may not come instantly. But God is faithful, and He will not leave you in this place. Keep pressing into Him, keep surrendering your heart, and keep trusting that He is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). You are not alone in this, and we will continue to stand with you in prayer. The Lord has a future for you that is bright, and it is not tied to this man or any other person. It is tied to Him, and His plans for you are perfect.