We join you in bringing this burden before the Lord and we understand your concern for your parents and their property and the desire for peace and order in that small alley. It is distressing when public ways are blocked and when daily life is disrupted, and we hear your frustration over what feels like cunning and malicious behavior from those around you.
We want to gently encourage you in how we view others even when we feel wronged. God calls us to desire justice and order, for He is a God of order and not confusion, yet He also calls us to guard our own hearts against bitterness and contempt. We are reminded in Matthew 5:44 to love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you. And in Romans 12:18 we are told if it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Vengeance belongs to the Lord as it says in Romans 12:19, and we are warned in Psalm 37:8 to cease from anger, and forsake wrath, for fretting leads only to evildoing. Even when laws are being broken, we are not to repay evil for evil but to seek what is right and to trust God to work justice in His time.
We also remember that God has ordained governing authorities to maintain order and justice. Romans 13:1 tells us let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. Proverbs 21:15 says it is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. So we can lawfully and peacefully appeal to those authorities rather than taking matters into our own hands or harboring hatred toward our neighbors. We encourage you to seek lawful, patient and respectful avenues, to document concerns calmly, and to pray for those officials that they would act wisely and fairly.
We noticed your request mentions the Lord God but not the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly share that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me. And Acts 4:12 declares 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. We come to God not on our own merit but through faith in Jesus who died for our sins and rose again, and it is in His name we pray with confidence.
We pray together for you and your parents and for that alley and all who live and work there. Father in heaven we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ and we lift up this alley and the property entrusted to these parents. We ask for your peace to rest there and for order to be restored in a way that honors you and respects the law. We pray for the local authorities that you would give them wisdom, integrity and diligence to uphold what is just and to care for the common good. We pray for those who sell in that market, that you would soften hearts, provide for their needs in honest ways, and draw them to yourself that they may know your grace and truth. Help our brother or sister to release any bitterness and to show the love of Christ even while seeking what is right. Let your will be done and let your peace that surpasses understanding guard hearts and homes. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
