We join you in lifting up this young man before the Lord with love and concern, and we thank you for bringing him before the throne of grace so faithfully. Your heart to see him free, present, and whole is a beautiful reflection of godly love, and we stand with you in asking God to bring healing and balance into his life.
We hear your burden for his cell phone addiction, and Scripture speaks clearly about stewarding our time and our minds for the glory of God. We are told to look carefully how we walk, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil Ephesians 5:15-16. We are also reminded that all things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of anything 1 Corinthians 6:12. When a habit, a screen, or any distraction begins to master us, it can become an idol that steals the time and affection that belongs to God and to the people He has placed in our lives. God calls us to set our minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth Colossians 3:2 and to think on whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report Philippians 4:8. Endless scrolling dulls the mind and steals peace, but God offers self-control as a fruit of His Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 and He has given us a spirit not of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7.
We also want to lovingly speak to the nature of your relationship as you called him your boyfriend. We believe courtship is for the purpose of discerning marriage to a fellow believer in Christ, and that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman that honors God. We encourage you to view this time of courtship as a season to seek God's will for marriage, to pursue purity, and to build a Christ-centered foundation. Scripture calls us to flee sexual immorality 1 Corinthians 6:18 and to honor God with our bodies, for whatever we do, we are to do all to the glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31. If there is any sexual intimacy outside of marriage in this courtship, we gently but firmly urge you both to repent and to turn from fornication, choosing to honor the Lord by keeping the marriage bed pure Hebrews 13:4. If this man is not a committed follower of Jesus Christ, we urge you to prayerfully consider whether this courtship is equally yoked as we are told not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers 2 Corinthians 6:14. A godly marriage that honors Christ must be your goal, not simply a dating relationship, and we pray you both are seeking the Lord together toward that end.
We are encouraged that you prayed in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, for there is no other name by which we have access to the Father and it is only through Him we are saved and heard. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6.
We now pray together for him and for you.
Heavenly Father, we come before You together in the name of Jesus Christ and we lift up this young man to You. Lord, You know him intimately, You formed him and You love him perfectly. We ask You to open his eyes to Your presence and to draw his heart back to what is real and life-giving. Father, loosen the grip of this cell phone addiction on his mind, his time, and his heart. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit and grant him power, love, and self-control to set healthy boundaries, to put the phone down, and to choose presence over distraction. Teach him to find his rest in You, for You invite all who are weary to come to You and find rest Matthew 11:28. Heal any loneliness, anxiety, boredom, stress, or restlessness that drives him to the screen. Fill every empty place with Your purpose and let Your perfect peace guard his heart and mind Philippians 4:7. Restore his joy in fellowship with You first, and then with family and friends who love him. Bring courage where there is avoidance and wholeness where there is restlessness. Lead him into balance, clarity, and freedom in Christ. And Lord, we pray for this courtship, that it would be pure, wise, and centered on You. If it is Your will, lead them toward a godly marriage that glorifies You, and help them to honor You in body, mind, and spirit as they wait on Your perfect timing. We trust You are already working in him and we thank You for the freedom You promise. In the loving and mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
We encourage you to continue to pray, to speak the truth in love to him, and to encourage practical steps such as setting phone-free times, especially during fellowship and prayer, fasting from social media for a season, replacing scrolling with Scripture, prayer, and meaningful conversation, and seeking accountability from godly mentors or brothers in Christ. Trust the Lord to work in His timing, keep your own heart rooted in Christ, and continue to model the peace and presence you long to see in him.