We join you in lifting up your younger cousin before the throne of grace and we thank you for bringing her needs before the Lord with such love and compassion. We are deeply grieved to hear of the abuse she has endured and the struggle she now faces with addiction, and we stand with you in asking for her protection, safety and complete healing.
We know that God sees her pain and He is not distant from it. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Psalm 147:3 tells us He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. The abuse she suffered was evil and God hates such harm against those He created. He is a defender of the vulnerable and a refuge for those who are hurting. Psalm 91:1 declares He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. We pray that she will come to dwell in that secret place and find shelter under His wings, and we rebuke every form of abuse, manipulation and exploitation that has harmed her and we ask the Lord to remove harmful people and dangerous situations far from her and to surround her with godly, trustworthy people who will genuinely care for her, protect her and seek her best interests.
We also lift up her battle with addiction. Addiction is bondage and the enemy uses it to keep a person trapped in shame and pain, but God offers freedom and a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with your temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. We pray for her mental and emotional health, that God will replace confusion and despair with His peace, clarity and hope. 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. We pray she will know her true worth in Christ, for Psalm 139:14 says I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and Jeremiah 29:11 declares For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. Her life has value and purpose and she is deeply loved by God.
We also want to gently share that your request spoke of God but did not mention Jesus Christ, and we want to ensure this foundation is clear because it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and it is only through Him that we are saved and healed. 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 teaches 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. It is by placing our faith in Jesus, His death and resurrection for our sins, that we are forgiven, made new and brought into the family of God. We pray that both you and your cousin will know the saving power of Jesus and call upon His name daily, for His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in weakness as promised in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
So we pray together now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the precious name of Jesus and we lift up this young woman to You. We ask You to place a strong shield of protection around her day and night. Keep far from her anyone who would harm, manipulate, abuse or take advantage of her. Remove from her life every harmful influence and dangerous place and lead her to safety, stability and healing. Surround her with people who love You and who will love and protect her with godly wisdom. Heal her broken heart and wounded spirit, restore her mind and emotions, and grant her strength, peace, clarity and hope as she processes what she has endured. Give her courage and provide the support, resources, Christian counsel and community she needs to break free from addiction. By the power of Jesus, break every chain that binds her and lead her on a better path forward where she can know her worth, know she is deeply loved, and fulfill the purpose You have for her life. Watch over her every day and night and draw her close to Yourself. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
We encourage you to continue to stand with her in love, to encourage her toward safe Christian community and professional help that honors biblical principles, such as a pastor or biblical counselor and trusted support for addiction recovery, and to keep pointing her to the Word of God and to prayer. We will continue to pray with you that the Lord will guard her, strengthen her to overcome, and lead her into wholeness in Christ.