We are lifting you up as you step out in obedience to seek reconciliation, and we commend you for desiring to obey God in this difficult area. Reconciliation is close to the heart of God, for we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:18 that God reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:23-24 that if we are offering our gift at the altar and remember that our brother has something against us, we should leave our gift there and first be reconciled to our brother. We also hear the wisdom of Romans 12:18 which says if it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. This shows that reconciliation requires humility, courage, and a willingness to do your part, even when you cannot control the response of others.
We understand that you have felt spiritual warfare surrounding these broken relationships and that you experienced a headache and physical weakness while trying to socialize, and you feel you failed a little. We want to encourage you that what you experienced does not mean you failed in God's eyes. The enemy does seek to hinder the work of peace and unity. 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 as Ephesians 6:12 reminds us. We must be sober and watchful, for your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour in 1 Peter 5:8, and he would love to use physical affliction, discouragement, or fatigue to keep you from obeying God. We rebuke that discouragement and we encourage you not to interpret physical weakness as spiritual failure. God's strength is made perfect in weakness, as He told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. And we claim Philippians 4:13 that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, and Isaiah 41:10 that God will strengthen you and uphold you with the right hand of His righteousness.
We also gently rebuke any tendency to let the reality of spiritual warfare become a reason to fear or to hold back. Instead we are called to submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you in James 4:7, and to put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil in Ephesians 6:11. This means going into these conversations bathed in prayer, with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. Before you meet with these individuals again, we encourage you to spend time in prayer and even fasting if you are able, confessing any part you played in the breach, asking the Lord to search your heart, forgiving them fully even before they respond, and asking for words seasoned with grace and truth.
We noticed your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and power over spiritual warfare. Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And in Acts 4:12 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 you have not already, we encourage you to place your full trust in Jesus Christ, believing that He died for your sins and rose again, confessing Him as Lord as Romans 10:9 teaches. It is in His name that we pray and have victory, and it is by His blood that reconciliation with God and with others becomes possible.
We pray together for you now.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before Your throne of grace on behalf of our dear one who desires reconciliation. Lord, we thank You for putting this desire in their heart, for You are the God of peace and restoration. We ask for Your covering and protection over them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Touch their body, ease the headaches and weakness, and strengthen them for the work You have called them to do. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit, with wisdom, humility, and love, that they may speak the truth in love and extend grace as You have extended grace to us. We rebuke the schemes of the enemy that would bring division, intimidation, and infirmity, and we ask that You would bind those attacks in Jesus name and let Your peace rule in these relationships. Lord, prepare the hearts of those they will speak to, soften what has been hardened by time and hurt, and let Your will be done. Even if reconciliation is not fully received by the other party, let our friend know they have obeyed You and let them rest in Your approval. Help them to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good as Romans 12:21 says. We ask all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our peace. Amen.
We encourage you to keep pressing forward this week. Pray before each conversation, keep your expectations surrendered to the Lord, and remember that faithfulness is success in God's eyes. We are standing with you and asking God to give you renewed strength, clear words, and deep peace as you walk in obedience.