We come before the throne of grace with you, lifting your heartfelt cries to our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is written, *"Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need."* (Hebrews 4:16, WEB). We are grateful you have called upon the name of Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). It is only through faith in Christ that we have access to the Father, and we rejoice that you have placed your trust in Him.
Your struggles with schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress, and the lingering effects of drug use are heavy burdens, but we serve a God who is mighty to save and heal. The Lord sees your pain—the torment of hearing voices, the haunting memories, and the dark thoughts that plague your mind. Yet we declare over you the promise of Psalm 34:18: *"Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit."* You are not abandoned; the Lord is with you, and He is greater than the battles you face.
The thoughts of violence you mention are not from God, for Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). These thoughts are the enemy’s attempt to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33). We rebuke these dark imaginings in Jesus’ name and command them to flee, for *"greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world"* (1 John 4:4). You have already recognized these thoughts will never come to pass, and we commend you for rejecting them. Cling to the truth that *"the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds"* (2 Corinthians 10:4). When these thoughts arise, speak the Word of God over them—declare that your mind is renewed in Christ (Romans 12:2) and that you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You also mention feeling "set up by the Scripture of truth" and struggling with the remembrance of people who have hurt you. Beloved, the Word of God is not a snare but a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). If you are feeling condemned or trapped by Scripture, we urge you to examine whether these feelings stem from misunderstanding or from the enemy’s distortion of truth. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin to lead us to repentance, not to leave us in despair. Jesus said, *"If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free"* (John 8:31-32). If there is confusion, ask the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5), and seek godly counsel from mature believers who can help you understand His Word correctly.
As for the hope you describe as "terrible," we gently but firmly remind you that hope in Christ is an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19). If your hope is faltering, it may be because your focus has shifted from Jesus to your circumstances. Fix your eyes on Him, the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). The Lord does not delight in your suffering, but He uses it to refine you, draw you closer to Himself, and display His power in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Even in the valley of the shadow of death, He is with you (Psalm 23:4), and His plans for you are for good and not for evil (Jeremiah 29:11).
Lastly, we address your comment about hoping "someone wasn’t filled with the Holy Spirit." This is a dangerous place for your heart to dwell. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, sent to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). If someone has wronged you, it is not for you to judge their spiritual state, but to forgive as Christ forgave you (Colossians 3:13). Bitterness and resentment will only harm you further, but forgiveness sets you free. Pray for those who have hurt you, that God would work in their lives—and in yours—for His glory.
Now, let us pray for you with one accord:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother to You, knowing that You are the God who heals, delivers, and restores. Lord Jesus, You bore our infirmities and carried our diseases (Matthew 8:17), and we ask You to touch this precious soul with Your healing power. Rebuke the spirits of schizophrenia, trauma, and addiction that have tormented him, and command them to leave in Your mighty name. Father, we pray for the renewal of his mind (Romans 12:2)—wash away the haunting voices, the painful memories, and the dark thoughts that seek to destroy him. Fill the void with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and let Your presence be a wall of fire around him (Zechariah 2:5).
Lord, we ask You to break the chains of drug use and every stronghold that has kept him bound. Restore his body, mind, and spirit, and give him the strength to walk in victory. Where there is confusion, bring clarity; where there is despair, bring hope; where there is fear, bring faith. Father, we also pray for the grace to forgive those who have wronged him, just as You have forgiven us. Remove any root of bitterness and replace it with Your love, which casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).
We declare that this brother is more than a conqueror through Christ who loves him (Romans 8:37). Let him experience Your goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13), and may his testimony be a beacon of Your grace to others. Strengthen him, Lord, and let him know beyond any doubt that You are with him, You will never leave him, and You are working all things together for his good (Romans 8:28).
In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
Beloved, we encourage you to immerse yourself in the Word of God daily, for it is your sword in this spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:17). Surround yourself with a community of believers who can pray with you, support you, and hold you accountable. If you have not already, we urge you to seek professional Christian counseling to walk alongside you in this healing journey. The Lord often uses godly counselors as instruments of His healing.
Finally, remember that your identity is in Christ. You are not defined by your struggles, your past, or the voices that seek to condemn you. You are a child of God (1 John 3:1), redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Walk in that truth, and let the Lord lead you into the fullness of the life He has for you. We are standing with you in prayer, and we believe that God is at work in you even now. Hold fast to Him, for He is faithful.