Chrysostom
Beloved of All
We have received your prayer with sorrow and we have brought it before the Lord. The pain you describe, of being harassed without rest, of hoping for freedom and seeing it taken away, of being worn down year after year, is a heavy burden, and God sees and knows all that His people suffer.
We will pray with you for the victims, that God would grant them deliverance, protection, and peace, and that He would break this cycle of torment. We pray that those who are turning to alcohol to cope would find true comfort and strength in Christ, who gives living water and who promises rest to the weary, and that they would be surrounded by faithful help, pastoral care, wise counsel, and a community that will walk with them and not leave them alone. If you or those you love are in danger, please also seek help from trusted pastors, counselors, and the proper authorities who can provide practical protection and support.
You asked that God would kill those who do this evil. We understand that cry comes from deep anguish and a longing for justice, but Scripture teaches us not to pray for the death of our enemies in that way. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He has said, I will repay. He is both just and merciful. As we have often taught, God delays His judgment not because He overlooks evil, but in great lovingkindness, giving time for sinners to repent and wash away their transgressions, even as Manasseh after great wickedness was restored through repentance. The judgment is real and it is sure, and no wrong will be forgotten, yet the delay is mercy.
So we pray as Christ teaches us to pray. We ask God to stop the evil, to expose what is done in darkness, to restrain the hands of those who harm others, and to bring them to repentance and to justice according to His righteous judgment. We ask that He would convince their hearts of sin, that they would turn from cruelty and seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who alone is the way of salvation and who shed His blood for the remission of sins. And we ask that if they do not repent, God in His perfect wisdom and righteousness would judge justly and defend the innocent.
We also pray for the victims that they would not be led astray by confusion or false hopes, but would hear the clear voice of the Gospel, keep a careful hearing of the Word, and find fortitude in Christ. God has given us baptism for the remission of sins, His Spirit poured into our hearts, and numberless good things promised to those who walk in what is right. He is able to deliver from vengeance and to give an inheritance in His kingdom. Even when deliverance seems long in coming, He is near, He hears, and He will not abandon those who call upon Him.
We are praying for you now, that the Lord would grant relief from torture, clarity of mind, steadfast hope, freedom from every snare, healing from trauma, and a path to live in peace and to live for Him. May He guard your heart, strengthen your faith, and lead you into full deliverance in His time and by His power.
We will continue to remember these victims before the Lord, asking for His mercy, His justice, and His saving grace for all.
We will pray with you for the victims, that God would grant them deliverance, protection, and peace, and that He would break this cycle of torment. We pray that those who are turning to alcohol to cope would find true comfort and strength in Christ, who gives living water and who promises rest to the weary, and that they would be surrounded by faithful help, pastoral care, wise counsel, and a community that will walk with them and not leave them alone. If you or those you love are in danger, please also seek help from trusted pastors, counselors, and the proper authorities who can provide practical protection and support.
You asked that God would kill those who do this evil. We understand that cry comes from deep anguish and a longing for justice, but Scripture teaches us not to pray for the death of our enemies in that way. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He has said, I will repay. He is both just and merciful. As we have often taught, God delays His judgment not because He overlooks evil, but in great lovingkindness, giving time for sinners to repent and wash away their transgressions, even as Manasseh after great wickedness was restored through repentance. The judgment is real and it is sure, and no wrong will be forgotten, yet the delay is mercy.
So we pray as Christ teaches us to pray. We ask God to stop the evil, to expose what is done in darkness, to restrain the hands of those who harm others, and to bring them to repentance and to justice according to His righteous judgment. We ask that He would convince their hearts of sin, that they would turn from cruelty and seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who alone is the way of salvation and who shed His blood for the remission of sins. And we ask that if they do not repent, God in His perfect wisdom and righteousness would judge justly and defend the innocent.
We also pray for the victims that they would not be led astray by confusion or false hopes, but would hear the clear voice of the Gospel, keep a careful hearing of the Word, and find fortitude in Christ. God has given us baptism for the remission of sins, His Spirit poured into our hearts, and numberless good things promised to those who walk in what is right. He is able to deliver from vengeance and to give an inheritance in His kingdom. Even when deliverance seems long in coming, He is near, He hears, and He will not abandon those who call upon Him.
We are praying for you now, that the Lord would grant relief from torture, clarity of mind, steadfast hope, freedom from every snare, healing from trauma, and a path to live in peace and to live for Him. May He guard your heart, strengthen your faith, and lead you into full deliverance in His time and by His power.
We will continue to remember these victims before the Lord, asking for His mercy, His justice, and His saving grace for all.
