Pray for this

[Dexter2020]

I initially became connected with several church communities through ###, who introduced me to different congregations across ###, social gatherings, and even a part-time teaching opportunity through ###. While these interactions appeared supportive at first, over time ### displayed manipulative and inappropriate behavior. He gaslighted me, spoke negatively about me to others, attempted to isolate me socially, and crossed personal boundaries, including inappropriate physical contact and suggestive behavior. He also attempted to position himself in ways that were emotionally and socially intrusive, including trying to exclude my mother from outings and suggesting hotel stays together. Other individuals within these circles, including ### and ###, were involved in situations that created confusion and emotional distress, particularly regarding miscommunication, avoidance of clarification, and indirect attempts at re-engagement. After recognizing repeated patterns of manipulation and boundary violations, I disengaged strategically and established firm boundaries, including making clear that further harassment would result in police reporting. Following this, contact ceased. Separately, during a period of unemployment, I faced workplace injustice. My former employer instructed me to perform actions using a company laptop that I believed to be illegal. I refused and was subsequently dismissed. Believing the dismissal to be wrongful retaliation, I initiated legal proceedings. During this time, ###, who led a Bible study group, criticized my decision to sue, citing biblical verses discouraging lawsuits. However, the case proceeded and resulted in a favorable outcome for me, after which the HR personnel involved resigned. I chose to drop the case thereafter, as accountability had been achieved. The use of scripture to broadly condemn legal recourse, without considering context or the circumstances of alleged misconduct, caused significant emotional hurt. I felt that my integrity and pursuit of justice were dismissed without proper understanding. Nevertheless, throughout both church-related and workplace conflicts, I maintained boundaries, defended my principles, and disengaged when necessary to protect my emotional and moral well-being.

 

[Articles]

We hear your pain and the deep wounds left by those who were supposed to reflect Christ’s love but instead brought confusion, manipulation, and harm. Your courage in setting boundaries and standing firm in your convictions is commendable, and we stand with you in seeking God’s healing and justice. Let us first address the spiritual and emotional weight of what you’ve endured, for Scripture tells us, *"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"* (Psalm 34:18). You are not alone in this.

The behavior you described—gaslighting, isolation, boundary violations, and inappropriate advances—is not only sinful but a direct contradiction to the character of Christ. Jesus never manipulated, coerced, or disrespected His followers. Instead, He honored their dignity and called out hypocrisy with righteous anger (Matthew 23). The fact that these actions came from someone in a position of spiritual influence makes them all the more grievous. We rebuke the spirit of deception and abuse that sought to distort God’s design for relationships and community. *"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the Lord* (Jeremiah 23:1). May God expose and remove any who use His name to harm His people.

Your decision to disengage and involve authorities if necessary was wise. Scripture commands us to *"have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them"* (Ephesians 5:11). You acted with godly discernment, and we pray that God will continue to shield you from further harm. May He surround you with trustworthy believers who reflect His love and integrity.

Regarding the workplace injustice, your refusal to participate in unethical actions aligns with biblical principles. *"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out"* (Proverbs 10:9). The criticism you faced for pursuing legal recourse was misapplied Scripture. While 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 discourages lawsuits *between believers* when reconciliation is possible, it does not forbid seeking justice against systemic wrongdoing or illegal actions. Jesus Himself overturned tables in the temple to confront corruption (Matthew 21:12-13). Your pursuit of accountability was just, and we praise God for the favorable outcome. May He restore what was lost and grant you wisdom in future employment.

The misuse of Scripture to shame or control is a grave sin. *"They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to help them"* (Matthew 23:4). We pray that God will soften the hearts of those who misapplied His Word and bring them to true repentance. May He also heal the hurt caused by their words and actions.

Let us now pray for you:

Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the One who sees every tear and hears every cry. We lift up our brother/sister who has endured manipulation, betrayal, and injustice. Lord, You are the God who *"executes justice for the oppressed"* (Psalm 146:7). We ask that You would heal their heart, mind, and spirit from the wounds inflicted by those who were supposed to reflect Your love. Replace their pain with Your peace, their confusion with clarity, and their weariness with Your strength.

Father, we rebuke the spirit of deception and abuse that sought to harm them. We declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Surround them with Your protection and fill their life with godly community—people who will encourage, uplift, and stand with them in truth. Give them discernment to recognize safe relationships and the courage to set boundaries when needed.

Lord, we thank You for their integrity in the workplace and for the justice You brought through the legal process. We pray that You would restore any losses and open doors for new opportunities where their gifts and character will be valued. May they continue to walk in wisdom and favor.

Father, we also ask that You would work in the hearts of those who misused Your Word or failed to stand for righteousness. Bring conviction where there is hardness of heart, and lead them to repentance. May Your church be a place of safety, truth, and grace.

Above all, we pray that our brother/sister would draw near to You, the ultimate Healer and Redeemer. May they experience Your presence in a fresh way and find their identity and worth in You alone. Strengthen their faith and remind them that You are their Defender and Provider.

We pray all these things in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, the Name above all names, the One who makes all things new. Amen.

You have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, and we encourage you to continue seeking God’s guidance as you move forward. Consider finding a local church body that values transparency, accountability, and biblical truth. Surround yourself with believers who will walk alongside you and speak life into your circumstances. *"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another"* (Proverbs 27:17). May God bless you with relationships that reflect His love and grace.

 

[hostadmin]

We're so sorry to hear about the pain you've been through, but we're here for you. It's heartbreaking to see how people who claimed to follow Jesus caused you so much harm. Let's remember together that God is always with us in our pain, and He promises to heal and restore us. As it says in Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

We're proud of how you've handled these situations. You've shown great courage in setting boundaries and standing up for what's right. We want you to know that you're not alone. We're here to support you, just like the early church members supported each other (Acts 2:42-47).

We also want to remind you that God sees every injustice and wrongdoing. He is a God of justice, and He will make all things right in His perfect timing (Romans 12:19). We pray that you would find comfort in this truth and trust that He is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).

Please keep seeking God's guidance as you move forward. Surround yourself with people who will encourage and uplift you, and remember that God is always with you, no matter what you face (Matthew 28:20).

We love you and are praying for you.