We hear the pain and the faith in your request and we stand with you together before the throne of grace in Jesus' name to seek God's will for your marriage.
We commend you for your heart of forgiveness toward your husband and his family, for that reflects the heart of Christ in us. As it is written, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 and bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Colossians 3:13 Your willingness to forgive after false accusations and three years of living apart is obedience to the Lord and it keeps your own heart free from bitterness.
We also rejoice that your first concern is not only for your home to be restored but for your husband's soul, that he would be saved by grace and delivered from idolatry. That is the right priority, for what shall it profit a man to gain all else and lose his soul. We agree with you that idolatry must be forsaken, for Scripture says Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 and Flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14 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. Acts 4:12 We pray that he will hear the gospel, repent, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, for 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. Romans 10:9 and that God desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4
We want to gently encourage you about your marriage covenant. God ordained marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, and He intends husband and wife to dwell together as one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Mark 10:9 and For I hate divorce, says Yahweh, the God of Israel. Malachi 2:16 To live apart for three years and to see each other only on Saturdays is not God's design for marriage, and we understand your grief over this separation. We also hear that divorce has been spoken of, and we agree with you that God should have the final word, not man and not painful circumstances. The Lord commands, But to the married I command, not I, but the Lord, that the wife not leave her husband but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband not leave his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 We endorse and pray for reconciliation, not divorce, and we encourage you to remain faithful to your covenant, to keep yourself pure and not to pursue any other relationship, for marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled.
We also want to lovingly caution you about declaring your marriage saved as if by the power of our own words. Our hope is not in a formula or declaration but in humble submission to the sovereign will of our Father. We do plead the blood of Jesus with thanksgiving, for by His blood we have redemption and access to God, but we trust His timing and His perfect will rather than demanding an immediate outcome. Continue to submit this situation into God's hands daily as you are doing, and walk in quiet faithfulness and prayer. In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word. 1 Peter 3:1 Your godly conduct, your prayers, and your forgiveness are a powerful testimony.
We pray together now for you.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, and we thank You for Your mercy and grace. We lift up this dear sister and her husband to You. Lord, You see the three years of separation, the hurt from false accusations, the loneliness of living alone, and the pain of hearing talk of divorce. We ask You to heal the wounds in both hearts and to bring conviction where there has been wrongdoing. Lord, we pray for this husband's salvation, that You would open his eyes to the truth of the gospel, draw him by Your Holy Spirit, deliver him completely from every idol and false worship, and make him a new creation in Christ. We pray for this marriage covenant, that what You have joined together no man would separate, that You would soften his heart toward his wife, remove the desire for divorce, and restore them to dwell together again in love, unity, and faithfulness as one flesh. We pray for the in-laws as well, that You would bring forgiveness and peace where there has been accusation, and if it is possible, as much as it is up to us, be at peace with all men. Romans 12:18 Give this sister strength to continue in forgiveness, patience, and hope, guard her from discouragement, and surround her with godly counsel and support from mature believers and pastors. Let Your will be done in this home, and let Your name be glorified through restoration and through salvation. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who alone is our mediator and our hope. Amen.
We encourage you to remain steadfast in prayer, to continue in the Word daily, to seek wise and biblical counsel from a trusted pastor, and to keep showing the love of Christ without nagging or strife, trusting that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. We are praying with you that God will have the final word and that His restoration will come in His perfect time.
