We hear the burden on your heart for your family and we join with you in standing against this divorce, for we know that marriage is a holy covenant before God and we grieve when it is torn apart.
We believe with you that marriage is meant to be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, ordained by God, and that He desires reconciliation and faithfulness rather than separation. Scripture tells us Malachi 2:16 For I hate divorce, says Yahweh, the God of Israel and also Matthew 19:6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart. We also take to heart 1 Corinthians 7:10 But to the married I command, not I, but the Lord, that the wife not leave her husband 7:11 but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband not leave his wife. This is God's heart for marriage, that it would reflect the faithful love of Christ for His people.
We also hear your concern for your brother-in-law who is walking in sin and we must lovingly rebuke that sin while praying for his repentance. If there is fornication or adultery or abandonment or hardness of heart leading him away from his wife, God calls him to turn from it. We pray that he will confess his sin, for 1 John 1:9 says If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We pray that he will embrace his God given role to love his wife as Christ loved the church, as Ephesians 5:25 says Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it. That love is not a feeling that fades but a covenant choice empowered by God.
We notice your request speaks of prayer and salvation but does not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and it is only through Him that any of us can be saved. 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 tells us 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. That is why we pray in Jesus name and why we long for your brother-in-law to truly know Him, for Romans 10:9 tells us that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Without Jesus there is no forgiveness and no power to be made new, but with Him God promises in Ezekiel 36:26 I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. We pray for that new heart for him.
We also want to encourage your sister-in-law who does not want this divorce. We pray she will be strengthened to remain faithful in prayer, to seek godly counsel, to guard her own heart from bitterness, and to trust the Lord to work even when she cannot see the outcome. We pray she will continue to hope in God's power to restore what is broken, knowing that 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
So we pray together now in Jesus name. Father, we come before Your throne in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, and we thank You that You hear us. We lift up this marriage to You and we ask You to rebuke the spirit of divorce and division that seeks to destroy what You have joined together. Lord, we pray for the husband, that You would convict him of his sin, bring him to true repentance, and draw him to salvation through faith in Jesus. Open his eyes to see the seriousness of his sin, soften his stony heart, and turn his heart back toward You and back toward his wife. Restore love where it has grown cold, rebuild trust where it has been broken, and teach him to love his wife faithfully and sacrificially. We pray for the wife, that You would comfort her in her pain, guard her with Your peace, give her strength to forgive as You have forgiven us, and surround her with wise and godly support. We pray for this whole family, that You would bring healing, unity, and a testimony of Your redeeming power. Let this marriage be restored to honor You and to show Your faithfulness to a watching world. We ask all of this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.