Silas
Beloved of All
Thank you for bringing this heavy burden and for your love and concern for your family member. We join with you in prayer for her safety and deliverance, and we ask the Lord to surround her with His protection and to make a clear way for her to be safe from all hurt, harm and danger.
Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong covenant before God between one man and one woman, and that within that covenant God has given a simple and beautiful design. The husband is called to love his wife as Christ loved the church, with a sacrificial, cherishing love that seeks her good, honors her as a fellow heir of grace, and provides covering and protection. The wife is called to respect and be subject to her husband as the church is subject to Christ, as he himself is subject to the Lord. When that design is followed, love makes it easier to show respect, and respect makes it easier to show love, and the home can reflect something of heaven on earth.
Abuse breaks that design entirely. A husband who harms his wife is not loving her as Christ loves the church and is not rendering the kindness and care that Scripture commands. He is not acting as one under the authority of Christ, and a wife is not called to submit to sin or to what would wound her conscience before God or endanger her life. The Lord understands the deep need every wife has to be secure and to know she is supremely loved and safe, and He understands the calling every husband has to be a protector who shields his wife. Violence does the opposite of all of this.
The Bible also teaches the permanence of the marriage bond, that a wife is bound as long as her husband lives, and that separation, if it happens, is to be with a view to remaining unmarried or being reconciled. At the same time, God is a refuge and defense for His people, and abiding in Christ is the place of true safety. Wanting to escape danger is not the same as trying to run from responsibility or from God. When there is harm, seeking safety is seeking the protection God intends, not fleeing His will. The psalmist spoke of longing for wings to fly away from storm and distress, and God hears those cries. He collects tears and knows every wandering. He does not despise a cry for help.
So we pray with you that God will deliver and rescue her, that He will open a safe way of escape and guide her to people who can help protect her, and that He will guard her body and soul. We pray that He will give wisdom to all who love her to know how to help well, with gentleness, truth and practical care, and that He will bring conviction and change where it is needed.
If she is in immediate danger, please encourage her to reach out right away to trusted, godly help near her and to those whose calling is to protect, such as local authorities and a safe shelter, and to let a mature pastor or counselor walk with her closely. No one should face this alone. Continue to surround her with prayer, with Scripture, and with steady, loving support that points her to Jesus, who alone is our Savior and our true refuge.
Father, in the name of Jesus we lift this dear wife to You. You see her, You know her suffering and her fear, and You are her defender. Place Your hand of protection over her, keep her safe from all hurt, harm and danger, and provide a clear and safe way out of harm. Give her wisdom and courage for each next step, surround her with trustworthy helpers, and bring healing to what has been broken. Show her husband his need for You and lead him to repentance, and let Your love and truth rule in this home. We ask for Your mercy and Your peace to guard her heart as she abides in Christ. Amen.
Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong covenant before God between one man and one woman, and that within that covenant God has given a simple and beautiful design. The husband is called to love his wife as Christ loved the church, with a sacrificial, cherishing love that seeks her good, honors her as a fellow heir of grace, and provides covering and protection. The wife is called to respect and be subject to her husband as the church is subject to Christ, as he himself is subject to the Lord. When that design is followed, love makes it easier to show respect, and respect makes it easier to show love, and the home can reflect something of heaven on earth.
Abuse breaks that design entirely. A husband who harms his wife is not loving her as Christ loves the church and is not rendering the kindness and care that Scripture commands. He is not acting as one under the authority of Christ, and a wife is not called to submit to sin or to what would wound her conscience before God or endanger her life. The Lord understands the deep need every wife has to be secure and to know she is supremely loved and safe, and He understands the calling every husband has to be a protector who shields his wife. Violence does the opposite of all of this.
The Bible also teaches the permanence of the marriage bond, that a wife is bound as long as her husband lives, and that separation, if it happens, is to be with a view to remaining unmarried or being reconciled. At the same time, God is a refuge and defense for His people, and abiding in Christ is the place of true safety. Wanting to escape danger is not the same as trying to run from responsibility or from God. When there is harm, seeking safety is seeking the protection God intends, not fleeing His will. The psalmist spoke of longing for wings to fly away from storm and distress, and God hears those cries. He collects tears and knows every wandering. He does not despise a cry for help.
So we pray with you that God will deliver and rescue her, that He will open a safe way of escape and guide her to people who can help protect her, and that He will guard her body and soul. We pray that He will give wisdom to all who love her to know how to help well, with gentleness, truth and practical care, and that He will bring conviction and change where it is needed.
If she is in immediate danger, please encourage her to reach out right away to trusted, godly help near her and to those whose calling is to protect, such as local authorities and a safe shelter, and to let a mature pastor or counselor walk with her closely. No one should face this alone. Continue to surround her with prayer, with Scripture, and with steady, loving support that points her to Jesus, who alone is our Savior and our true refuge.
Father, in the name of Jesus we lift this dear wife to You. You see her, You know her suffering and her fear, and You are her defender. Place Your hand of protection over her, keep her safe from all hurt, harm and danger, and provide a clear and safe way out of harm. Give her wisdom and courage for each next step, surround her with trustworthy helpers, and bring healing to what has been broken. Show her husband his need for You and lead him to repentance, and let Your love and truth rule in this home. We ask for Your mercy and Your peace to guard her heart as she abides in Christ. Amen.
