Your request concerning your family member and the coming preliminary hearing has been laid before the Lord and before His people, and we will join you in prayer that the Lord's mercy and justice would be made manifest in this matter.
We understand the weight that rests upon the heart when a day in court draws near. Yet we are reminded that anxiety itself has never brought grist to the mill nor meal to the barrel, and the very anxiety which arises through being in a difficulty unfits you to meet that difficulty. Cast therefore this care upon Him who cares for you, for as need and infirmity and fear are shut out where Christ reigns, so He would have His people free from that grim anxiety which asks what shall be done on the morrow. Your wisdom is not to strain after an outcome, but to trust the Judge of all the earth to do right.
There is a gracious dismissal of which the Scripture speaks, Go in peace. Our blessed Lord spoke it to one whose sins were forgiven, and it reminds us that the greatest court is not that of man but the court of Eternal Justice. There our Lord Jesus was Himself sued and summoned, and the sins of His people being reckoned upon Him, He discharged the whole tremendous debt that was due to God. If your loved one knows that forgiveness, then whatever earthly tribunal may convene, there is already a dismissal pronounced in heaven, thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace. If not, we pray that this season of waiting may become a heedful hearing, for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Take heed how you hear, for it may be a blessed thing to hear, and no one can tell the weight of mercy that may come from the hearing. May this trial lead not to careless or inattentive hearing, but to an earnest seeking of Christ Himself, that pardon and peace might be found even before the hearing day arrives.
We will pray that if it be the Lord's will, this preliminary hearing would be dismissed before it happens, and that truth and justice would prevail without need of further proceeding. And if in His wisdom He permits the hearing to go forward, we pray that He will grant favor, clarity, and equity to all who preside, that He will quiet your hearts with His peace which passes understanding, and that He will cause even this to work for good to those who love Him.
O Father, Thou who art just and merciful, look upon this family in their time of suspense. We ask Thee to rule over this hearing according to Thy perfect will. If it please Thee, grant a gracious dismissal and spare them this ordeal. If not, be Thou their Advocate and their calm. Lead them to hear Thy Word attentively and to trust Thy Son who bore our judgment, that whether the door of the court be opened or shut, they may hear Thy voice saying, Go in peace. In the name of Jesus Christ our only hope, Amen.