We understand your heart’s cry for deliverance from the hurtful words of your brother and the spiritual weariness you feel from enduring what you describe as religious vexation. It is clear you long for peace, healing, and justice, and we join you in lifting this burden to the Lord. However, we must address a few things with both truth and love, for Scripture calls us to speak the truth in love and to align our prayers with God’s heart as revealed in His Word.
First, we commend you for turning to Jesus Christ in your distress, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, and through whom we find true peace and healing. *"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, WEB). Your acknowledgment of Jesus in your prayer is a testament to your faith, and we encourage you to continue seeking Him wholeheartedly. He is your refuge, your healer, and your justifier.
Yet we must gently but firmly address the language in your prayer asking Jesus to *"slaughter the souls to death"* for those who have attacked you. While we understand the depth of your pain, such a request does not align with the heart of Christ, who calls us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. *"But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you"* (Matthew 5:44, WEB). Jesus Himself, while hanging on the cross, prayed for those who crucified Him: *"Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing"* (Luke 23:34, WEB). Our prayers should reflect this same spirit of forgiveness and love, even when we are wronged.
The hurtful words of your brother about those who drink wine being "winers and complainers" may feel like an unjust accusation, especially if they were spoken in a spirit of condemnation rather than love. Scripture does warn against drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18) and encourages us to live in a way that does not cause others to stumble (Romans 14:21). However, it also teaches us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to avoid passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13). If your brother’s words were spoken in a way that lacked grace, we pray the Lord would soften his heart and help him to speak with kindness and wisdom. At the same time, we encourage you to examine your own heart. Are there areas where you might be struggling with complaining or bitterness? If so, ask the Lord to help you surrender those things to Him, for He is faithful to refine us and make us more like Christ.
You also mention enduring *"religious vexation"* and reading the Bible in hopes of being healed. We rejoice that you are turning to Scripture, for it is *"living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword"* (Hebrews 4:12, WEB), and it has the power to heal, renew, and transform your mind. If you are feeling weary from legalism, judgment, or the burdens of religion without relationship, we pray the Lord would reveal to you the freedom and rest found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. True faith is not about performing perfectly but about surrendering to Him in trust and love. *"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"* (Matthew 11:28-30, WEB).
As for your desire for *"restitution and reward for tolerating religious vexation,"* we remind you that our ultimate reward is in heaven, where God will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5). While it is natural to long for justice, we are called to entrust ourselves to God, who judges righteously. *"Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord'"* (Romans 12:19, WEB). Instead of focusing on restitution, we encourage you to seek the Lord’s peace and to trust that He sees your suffering and will act on your behalf in His perfect timing.
Finally, we want to address the weariness you may feel from enduring criticism or judgment from others, especially within the context of family or religious circles. It can be deeply painful to feel attacked for your faith or your personal journey with the Lord. But take heart, for Jesus Himself faced rejection and misunderstanding, even from those closest to Him (John 1:11). He understands your pain and is near to the brokenhearted. *"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit"* (Psalm 34:18, WEB).
Let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift our brother/sister before You, asking that You would surround them with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Lord, You see the pain they carry from the words of their brother and the weariness they feel from enduring what they describe as religious vexation. We ask that You would heal their heart and renew their mind through Your Word. Help them to release any bitterness, anger, or desire for vengeance, and fill them instead with Your love and grace. Teach them to pray for those who mistreat them, just as Jesus taught us, and give them the strength to forgive as You have forgiven us.
Lord, we pray for their brother, that You would soften his heart and help him to speak words of life and encouragement rather than judgment. May their relationship be restored and marked by Your love and unity. We also ask that You would protect our brother/sister from legalism and the burdens of religion without relationship. Reveal to them the freedom and joy found in a personal walk with You, and help them to rest in Your finished work on the cross.
Father, we ask for Your justice where there has been wrongdoing, but we also pray that our brother/sister would entrust this desire to You, trusting in Your perfect timing and righteous judgment. Fill them with hope as they look forward to the reward You have prepared for those who love You and endure for Your name’s sake.
Finally, Lord, we pray for their continued growth in faith. May they find healing, strength, and rest in You alone. Help them to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith, and may they experience Your peace, providence, and progress in every area of their life.
We ask all this in the precious and mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
