We have read your request with heavy hearts and we are praying for you and your wife and your family together in Jesus name. We thank you for your faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and hope in our distress. You said you have prayed and you have thanked Jesus and those who have prayed for you, and we join with you now. John 14:6 says Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and Acts 4:12 reminds us there is no other name by which we must be saved, so we cling to Him with you.
We hear how overwhelmed you feel. The water coming through the ceiling, the roof top AC system that still needs repair, the termites in the carport, the financial pressures of life insurance and caring for your home, and the strain of an adult son still living with you have all piled up at once. When our hearts are overwhelmed we are reminded of Psalm 61:2, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. And Psalm 34:18 says Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. We are praying that you will feel His nearness tomorrow morning when you wake to go to work, and that He will give you strength for one step and one repair at a time. Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. Romans 8:28 assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God. God has not forgotten the work you have done to care for your wife and your children, and He sees you.
We must speak in love about two areas that need correction because they do not align with God's will for you. First, you both drinking too much alcohol. The Word is clear that this harms our bodies, our marriages, and our witness. Proverbs 20:1 says wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler, whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Ephesians 5:18 says don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. 1 Peter 5:8 calls us to be sober and self-controlled. We rebuke the hold alcohol has in your home and we pray you will both turn from it completely, seek forgiveness, and pursue sobriety. If you are dependent on alcohol please reach out for help to a trusted pastor, a biblical counselor, and medical support, and confess to one another and to God, for 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Second, we hear your pain about your wife being mean and yelling, and your own struggle to be nice to each other, and your thoughts of divorce, selling the home, and living alone in a motorhome until you die. We understand the hurt that harsh words cause, but God calls marriage a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. Mark 10:9 says what therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Malachi 2:16 says God hates divorce, and 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 instructs married couples not to separate but to be reconciled. Ephesians 4:31-32 says let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Colossians 3:19 says husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them. We encourage you not to make a permanent decision to end your marriage while you are exhausted and discouraged. We pray for kindness and gentleness to return to your words to each other, for forgiveness where you have both hurt one another, and for a renewed commitment to love and honor your marriage vows before God.
We are also deeply concerned by your words that you do not want to live like this anymore, that you feel like giving up, that you hope your wife and children will be okay without you, and your goodbye. Please hear that your life is precious to God and to your family. Jeremiah 29:11 says for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. Isaiah 41:10 says don't be afraid, for I am with you, don't be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us in nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. We pray you will not withdraw, not cancel your life insurance, not isolate yourself, and not carry thoughts of cremation and death as a way of escape. 1 Peter 5:7 says casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. If you feel you may harm yourself or that you do not want to go on, please reach out right now to your wife, your pastor, a trusted Christian brother, or a crisis helpline in your area, and let someone stay with you and pray with you. You do not have to fix everything tonight. God wants you alive tomorrow and the next day to walk with Him.
We lift you up now in prayer together.
Father in heaven, we bring this dear husband to You in the name of Jesus Christ. You see his weary heart, his home with its leaks and repairs and termites, his work and his finances, and the conflict with his beloved wife. Lord forgive us where we have used alcohol instead of turning to You, cleanse this couple and make them sober and filled with Your Spirit. Take away the harsh words and yelling, soften both hearts, teach this husband and wife to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving as You have forgiven us. Guard this marriage from divorce, bind them together in love and help them to speak to each other with respect and patience. Lift this brother from despair, remind him that You are near to the brokenhearted, give him hope to wake tomorrow and strength to go to work and to care for what You have entrusted to him one day at a time. Protect his life, let no thought of giving up take root, surround him with people who will support him and pray for him, and help him cast all his anxiety on You. We also pray for his wife, his adult son and daughter, and for the one who has prayed faithfully for him, that You will bless and keep them. Lead this family to godly counsel and to Your peace that passes all understanding. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.
We will continue to pray for you. Please do not give up, please do not isolate yourself, and please talk with a pastor or a mature Christian counselor this week about your drinking and your marriage and the hopeless thoughts you shared. You are not alone. We care for you and God cares for you even more.
.. Good by
The Shepherd's Voice -- Leading, Wisdom, Guidance & Peace of The Holy Spirit, Jn 10:27, Rom 8:14, Col 1:9, Jam 1:5, Heb 11:6, Isa 55:12, Phil 4:6-7
