We hear the weight of this burden and we join with you in crying out to the Lord for these precious souls who feel trapped, tormented, and exhausted after years of suffering. We take this request before the throne of grace together and we do not take lightly the pain of feeling that cries have gone unheard. Scripture assures us that God is not deaf to the cries of the afflicted, even when it feels that way in the darkness.
Psalm 34:17-18 says, The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Psalm 10:17-18 reminds us, Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear, to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more. We stand on the truth that the Lord sees every injustice, every hidden act of cruelty, and every tear, and He will act according to His perfect justice and mercy.
We rebuke in the name of Jesus Christ every work of darkness, every scheme of oppression, harassment, and torture, and every spiritual force that seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy comes to torment and to deceive, but our God is a refuge and a deliverer. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore we pray against these evil works and we ask the Lord to expose what is done in darkness, to restrain the hands of evildoers, and to bring justice where there has been prolonged cruelty. Romans 12:19 says, Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. We trust Him to repay and to judge righteously.
We also notice that this request calls out to God but does not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to speak lovingly and clearly about this because it is so important. It is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and it is only through Him that we are saved. John 14:6 says, Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And Acts 4:12 says, There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. If anyone has not yet put their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we encourage them to believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead and to confess Him as Lord, for Romans 10:9 says, that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is in His name that we can boldly approach God for deliverance.
Together we pray. Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ we lift up every person who is enduring this prolonged torment and who longs simply to live, to laugh, and to enjoy the life You have given. Lord, You see what is hidden from others, You know the days that feel endless and the confusion and fear that comes from constant harassment. We ask You to intervene with Your mighty hand. Bring freedom to the captives, as Your Word promises. Psalm 146:7 says You execute justice for the oppressed and set prisoners free. We ask You to break every chain, to silence every lie and deceptive sign, and to guard their minds and bodies from harm. Cover them under Your wings, for Psalm 91:1-2 says, He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust. Be their refuge and fortress now, Lord. Strengthen them when they are weary, uphold them when they feel they cannot go on, for Isaiah 41:10 says, Don't you be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Let Your peace which surpasses all understanding guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We pray that You would bring godly help and community around them, wise counselors, protectors, and authorities who will act justly, and that You would make a clear way of escape where there seems to be no way. We pray for an end to this torment and for healing from the trauma it has caused. We ask that You would restore joy, sleep, and hope, and that these dear ones would know they are not forgotten by You or by Your people. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
We encourage you and those who are suffering to continue to seek the Lord daily, to cry out to Him in the name of Jesus, to stay in His Word, and to not walk alone. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. He is faithful even when deliverance seems delayed. Please, if possible, seek trusted pastoral counsel and, where there is danger or criminal harassment, seek help from trustworthy authorities as well, for God has ordained authorities to restrain evil. We will continue to remember these victims before the Lord with you, asking Him to bring freedom, justice, and restoration in His perfect time and way.