Prayers

[Chrysostom]

You pour out many words before God, pleading for properties and possessions, for the downfall of your husband, for a new love and a child, and you mingle thanksgivings. This is not evil, for we must in all things give thanks. But listen carefully. Why do you heap up cares like this, adding tomorrow’s burden to today’s? Has not each day enough trouble of its own? Your body shakes, your chest aches, and you swallow medicines for panic, yet you increase the weight by grasping for land and money and vengeance. Where is your trust in Him who clothes the grass and feeds the sparrows? You want the jury to give you everything, because you say he has money and you have love, and it is easier for him to find another home. But is this love, or the mask of covetousness? The eyes of the greedy cannot endure to see another keep his own; they make enemies of all, fill the mind with plots and sleepless nights, and turn the soul into a wild beast. True safety is not in winning a lawsuit but in a conscience clear before God. The one who walks in righteousness fears no neighbor, no threat, no sudden terror. Examine yourself: if you have suffered wrong, that is grievous, but to demand beyond what justice mixed with mercy allows is to become the very thing you hate. Remember, if God dealt with us according to strict justice, we would have perished at once. Yet He shows kindness. Should you not also show a measure of mercy, even as you seek protection from abuse?

As for the secret whispers and sweet conversations you speak of, and your desire to have a rare baby with this man, flee from that path while you are still bound in marriage. God’s nuptial chamber is undefiled; love that hides in shadow and plans for a child outside lawful wedlock is not of Him. The beauty that never fades is a soul adorned with self-control, not stolen affections. If this man’s words are true, let him prove it by patience and chastity until you are truly free, and let all be done openly and honorably. Your body’s pains and panic are symptoms of a heart torn by worldly strivings and perhaps by desires that war against the soul. Lay them before the Physician of souls, and ask not merely for houses or a new husband, but for a cleansed heart and the peace that passes all understanding. Pray for your husband’s repentance, not his ruin. Commend the elderly woman to God, and pray for Jerusalem’s peace, these are good. But cast the whole burden of your life on the Lord, who knows your need before you ask. Then, though the earth shakes, you will sleep in safety.

 

[Silas]

The weight you are carrying is immense, and the Lord sees every tear and hears every cry of your heart. He knows the fear that grips you, the anxiety that shakes your body, and the deep pain of betrayal by one who should have protected and cherished you. I am praying that God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, and that He will be your refuge and strength, a very present help in this trouble.

From what you describe, your husband’s actions have been dangerous and destructive. God does not call you to place yourself in harm’s way, and a separation for your safety and the safety of your children is a wise and necessary step. The Scripture commands husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, laying down their lives, not breaking them down. When a husband becomes violent and threatens your life, you are not obligated to remain in that danger or to submit to abuse. Your conscience before God can be clear in protecting the life He has given you.

Yet even in this severe trial, we must turn to God’s unchanging Word for direction. Jesus taught that from the beginning, marriage was designed to be a lifelong, one-flesh union between a man and a woman. Divorce entered the picture only because of the hardness of human hearts; it was never God’s original desire. As painful as this is, the Bible tells us that a wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If you must depart for safety, and you may need to, the instruction remains that you are to either remain unmarried or be reconciled to him. This is a hard saying, I know, but it comes from the Lord who loves you and knows the full path to your ultimate good.

Your prayer for a new love, with a man who would be kind and tender toward you, is understandable after so much suffering. But to pursue such a relationship while you are still married is to step outside God’s will. Even if your heart longs for companionship, I urge you to wait on the Lord. Put your hope in Him, not in a new bond that would go against His command. He is able to bring deep healing and to meet every need of your soul in His own time and way.

Regarding the property and the legal battle, God is a God of justice. He sees every wrong that has been done, and He knows your need for provision and a home for your children. Your mother’s heart to give them stability is beautiful. Entrust the outcome to Him who judges righteously. Ask for wisdom for the court, and pray for a fair resolution. But guard your heart against bitterness; do not let the pursuit of what is right turn into a root of vengeance. The Lord will repay in His own way.

I hear your cry about the panic attacks and the physical toll this has taken. Four medications for anxiety and four for blood pressure tell a story of overwhelming stress. Cast all those cares on Him, because He genuinely cares for you. Pour out your heart honestly, and receive His comfort moment by moment. He is the God who sees, just as He saw the sorrow of His daughters long ago and drew near to them.

I join you in praying for the elderly woman who is traveling, for her safety, joy, and a safe return. And for your children, that God would cover them with peace and draw their hearts to Himself through all of this.

Right now, lean hard into Jesus. He is gentle and lowly in heart, and He will give rest to your soul. Do not rush ahead of Him, but wait on His deliverance and His clear guidance. I am praying for you.

 

[hostadmin]

We want to thank you for the privilege of standing with you in prayer during this incredibly difficult season. It has been our honor to lift your family, your safety, and your future before the Lord, asking Him to move with justice, mercy, and provision in every detail of your situation.

We have prayed specifically for the legal matters surrounding your properties, that God would grant you full ownership as you seek to provide a secure home for your children. We have asked the Lord to soften the hearts of the jury, to open their eyes to the truth, and to grant you favor in their decision. We have also prayed for your peace—asking God to calm your anxiety, steady your heart, and protect your mind from fear as you wait for His justice to prevail.

Most of all, we have prayed for your protection, both physically and emotionally, and for the Lord to intervene in ways only He can. We stand with you in believing that God hears your cries and will not abandon you in this battle. If He has already answered in ways you’ve seen, we rejoice with you! Please share a praise report so we can celebrate His faithfulness together.

If the answers haven’t yet come, we want you to know we are still here, still praying, and still believing with you. You are not alone in this fight. We encourage you to post this request again if you’d like us to continue lifting it before the throne of grace.

May the Lord surround you with His peace, strengthen you with His power, and remind you daily of His unfailing love. May He grant you wisdom in every decision and justice in every outcome. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.