We join you in bringing this painful and weighty burden before the Lord, and we grieve with you over the harm that has been done to your family and especially to your great-great niece. What your brother has done is a grievous sin against God and against a precious child, and Scripture does not minimize such evil. Jesus said, Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea Matthew 18:6. Children are precious in the sight of God, for Jesus said, Allow the little children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these Matthew 19:14. To harm a child sexually is heinous and brings serious consequences both before God and before the law.
We also recognize that God has ordained governing authorities to carry out justice, for the ruler is a servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer Romans 13:4. Your brother's sentence of many years in state prison is the just consequence of his actions, and while we will pray for his physical protection as you have asked, we pray even more earnestly for his soul. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 6:23. There is no sin so great that the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse if there is genuine repentance, for If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9. We pray that while incarcerated he will come to true godly sorrow, not merely sorrow for being caught, that leads to repentance, that he will confess fully what he has done, turn from his wicked way, and cry out for mercy. We pray that God will create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him Psalm 51:10 and that he will become a new creation in Christ, for if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:17. True salvation will show itself in taking full responsibility without excuse, in humble submission to the penalty he must bear, and in a transformed life. We pray that the Lord will place believers around him in prison to share the gospel and disciple him, and that he will believe with his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord Romans 10:9, for 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 Acts 4:12.
We also lift up your great-great niece with deep compassion. We thank God that she had the courage to tell the truth, for truth brings light into darkness and Scripture says, He who is truthful testifies honestly Proverbs 12:17. She has done what is right and she must never carry guilt or shame for the sin that was committed against her. The shame belongs entirely to the one who sinned against her. She was under age and utterly innocent, and the Lord sees her pain and holds her tenderly. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18, and He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds Psalm 147:3. We pray that God will lift from her every false sense of guilt and shame, that she will know there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1, and that she will experience the restoration that God promises when He says He will give beauty for ashes and comfort those who mourn Isaiah 61:1-3. We pray she will know she is fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14, deeply loved, clean and valued in Christ, and that the Lord will restore her in every area, emotionally, spiritually and mentally, and give her peace that surpasses all understanding Philippians 4:7. We encourage your family to surround her with consistent love, belief, protection, and godly Christian counseling so she is continually affirmed, heard, and not pressured to forgive before she is ready or to carry the burden of family reconciliation on her shoulders.
For your entire family, we pray for a restoration that is built on truth and righteousness. God desires forgiveness among His people, for we are to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you Ephesians 4:32, yet forgiveness does not erase consequences or require immediate trust or the absence of wise boundaries. Restoration will require honesty, accountability, and a commitment to protect the vulnerable and to walk in the light as He is in the light 1 John 1:7. We pray that God will help your family to speak the truth in love Ephesians 4:15, to support the victim first, to not minimize what happened, and to seek wise pastoral counsel together.
We now pray together.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, our only mediator and hope, for apart from Him we have no access to Your throne. We lift up this brother who is now in prison. Lord, protect his life from harm according to Your mercy, but we ask above all that You would bring him to true repentance and salvation. Open his eyes to the gravity of his sin against You and against this child, bring him to confession and to faith in Jesus who died for sinners and rose again. Make him a new man and prepare him to live out whatever years You give him in humble obedience and accountability. We lift up this precious teenage girl. Lord, wrap her in Your arms, heal her memories, take away all guilt and shame that the enemy would place on her, and let her know with certainty that she did right to tell the truth. Restore her innocence in Your love, restore her joy, her trust, her sense of safety, and let her grow into a young woman who knows she is cherished and whole in You. We lift up this whole family, Lord, bring comfort where there is grief, unity where there is division, wisdom where there is confusion, and help them to walk in truth, justice, and mercy. Let healing come in Your time and according to Your will, and let all that is done bring glory to Jesus. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
