Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your urgent cry for mercy has been heard and we have brought you, your mother, and your household before the Lord in prayer. We grieve with you over so much affliction at once, the pain in the spine and elbows that does not respond to treatment, the burden of medical costs you cannot carry, the need to work while caring for a sick mother, your own anemia and the concerning change in moles, and the struggle to keep your business open. God sees all of this and He is not distant from your suffering.
Scripture teaches us that God often uses bodily affliction to awaken the soul, not because He delights in pain, but because He loves us and desires our healing in the deepest part. As Christ said to the man He healed, behold you are made whole, sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you. This is not to say that every sickness is a direct punishment for a particular sin, but it is a call for all of us to examine our hearts, to turn from sin, and to draw near to Christ who alone can deliver from evil and supply every good. Through His coming He has delivered us from the curse and has made a way for us to be received as sons, giving us the Spirit of adoption so that we may cry to the Father with confidence. Salvation and true deliverance are in Jesus Christ alone, and there is no other name or power by which we are saved.
Therefore we urge you to continue in a careful hearing of the word of God and in continual remembrance of it, with fortitude and trust in Him rather than in riches or in fear. It is not enough to be freed from one trial, we must cultivate the whole life of virtue that Christ teaches. That includes caring for the body as God intends, making provision for the flesh for health and not for indulgence. We encourage you to continue to seek wise medical care as you are able. For your anemia and especially for moles that have changed color, please seek a medical evaluation promptly if you have not already done so. Use the means God has given, even a little, as the Apostle counseled to use medicine for bodily infirmity, and trust God for what you cannot provide. He knows your need for daily work and for clients for your shop, and we pray He will provide for your needs according to His wisdom, while also teaching you to hold all worldly things lightly and to seek first His kingdom.
Concerning the spiritual attacks and fear you describe from neighbors involved in Umbanda, know that our struggle is not only against flesh and blood, but the Lord is far stronger. If we sleep spiritually we are open to the attacks of enemies both human and demonic, but if we wake and watch in prayer, Christ is our deliverer. He delivered His servant from the mouth of the lion, and He still delivers His people from every evil work, which is an even greater deliverance than escape from bodily danger, for He keeps us from condemnation and gives us victory over sin itself. Do not fear to suffer evil, but fear to do evil. Do not return evil for evil, but overcome evil with good, with prayer, with forgiveness, and with a life that seeks holiness. Turn away from every form of darkness and seek Christ alone, for He is the way and the rock of our salvation. Have no fellowship with works of darkness, but bring everything into the light of Christ through prayer, confession, and the hearing of Scripture.
Let us pray together for you now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we come before You for this family. Have mercy and grant healing according to Your will. Touch the spine and the elbows that are injured and in pain, ease the suffering and restore strength where it is possible. We pray for the mother with Alzheimer, surround her with Your comfort and sustain those who care for her. We pray for anemia to be healed and for the skin condition that has changed, grant wisdom to doctors and provision for proper care. Provide for this household in their financial need, open the way for honest work and for clients for their business, that they may have their daily bread and be able to continue caring for one another. Above all, grant deliverance from every evil, break every work of darkness and fear, and fill this home with Your peace. Forgive sins, strengthen faith, and pour out Your Spirit of adoption so that in every affliction they may know they are Your children and are held in Your hand. Keep them from despair, make them steadfast in prayer and in love for one another, and let Your will be done in their lives. We ask this in the saving name of Jesus Christ, our only hope. Amen.
Continue to seek the Lord daily in prayer and in His word, remain faithful in the fellowship of His church, and keep looking to Christ. We will continue to pray for your healing, your mother, your own health, and your provision and deliverance. May the Lord grant you His peace and sustain you day by day.
Scripture teaches us that God often uses bodily affliction to awaken the soul, not because He delights in pain, but because He loves us and desires our healing in the deepest part. As Christ said to the man He healed, behold you are made whole, sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you. This is not to say that every sickness is a direct punishment for a particular sin, but it is a call for all of us to examine our hearts, to turn from sin, and to draw near to Christ who alone can deliver from evil and supply every good. Through His coming He has delivered us from the curse and has made a way for us to be received as sons, giving us the Spirit of adoption so that we may cry to the Father with confidence. Salvation and true deliverance are in Jesus Christ alone, and there is no other name or power by which we are saved.
Therefore we urge you to continue in a careful hearing of the word of God and in continual remembrance of it, with fortitude and trust in Him rather than in riches or in fear. It is not enough to be freed from one trial, we must cultivate the whole life of virtue that Christ teaches. That includes caring for the body as God intends, making provision for the flesh for health and not for indulgence. We encourage you to continue to seek wise medical care as you are able. For your anemia and especially for moles that have changed color, please seek a medical evaluation promptly if you have not already done so. Use the means God has given, even a little, as the Apostle counseled to use medicine for bodily infirmity, and trust God for what you cannot provide. He knows your need for daily work and for clients for your shop, and we pray He will provide for your needs according to His wisdom, while also teaching you to hold all worldly things lightly and to seek first His kingdom.
Concerning the spiritual attacks and fear you describe from neighbors involved in Umbanda, know that our struggle is not only against flesh and blood, but the Lord is far stronger. If we sleep spiritually we are open to the attacks of enemies both human and demonic, but if we wake and watch in prayer, Christ is our deliverer. He delivered His servant from the mouth of the lion, and He still delivers His people from every evil work, which is an even greater deliverance than escape from bodily danger, for He keeps us from condemnation and gives us victory over sin itself. Do not fear to suffer evil, but fear to do evil. Do not return evil for evil, but overcome evil with good, with prayer, with forgiveness, and with a life that seeks holiness. Turn away from every form of darkness and seek Christ alone, for He is the way and the rock of our salvation. Have no fellowship with works of darkness, but bring everything into the light of Christ through prayer, confession, and the hearing of Scripture.
Let us pray together for you now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we come before You for this family. Have mercy and grant healing according to Your will. Touch the spine and the elbows that are injured and in pain, ease the suffering and restore strength where it is possible. We pray for the mother with Alzheimer, surround her with Your comfort and sustain those who care for her. We pray for anemia to be healed and for the skin condition that has changed, grant wisdom to doctors and provision for proper care. Provide for this household in their financial need, open the way for honest work and for clients for their business, that they may have their daily bread and be able to continue caring for one another. Above all, grant deliverance from every evil, break every work of darkness and fear, and fill this home with Your peace. Forgive sins, strengthen faith, and pour out Your Spirit of adoption so that in every affliction they may know they are Your children and are held in Your hand. Keep them from despair, make them steadfast in prayer and in love for one another, and let Your will be done in their lives. We ask this in the saving name of Jesus Christ, our only hope. Amen.
Continue to seek the Lord daily in prayer and in His word, remain faithful in the fellowship of His church, and keep looking to Christ. We will continue to pray for your healing, your mother, your own health, and your provision and deliverance. May the Lord grant you His peace and sustain you day by day.
