We come before the Lord with you in this time of distress, lifting your cry for deliverance from persecution and the painful memories of the past that are resurfacing. It is clear that you are facing spiritual and emotional warfare, and we stand with you in the authority of Jesus Christ to seek His protection, justice, and peace. You have done well to call upon the name of Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, and through which we have access to the Father. As Scripture declares, *"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).
First, we must address the request to *"destroy any souls from elementary school."* While we understand the depth of your pain and the desire for justice, we are called to a higher standard as followers of Christ. Our Lord teaches us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44, WEB). Vengeance belongs to the Lord alone, as it is written: *"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 asking for destruction, we should pray for their repentance, for God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 18:23, WEB). If they are acting out of malice or revenge, we pray that the Lord would convict their hearts, bring them to repentance, and transform their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.
That said, we do pray for the Lord’s protection over you and for His justice to prevail. The persecution you are facing is not unseen by God. He is your shield and your strong tower, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1, WEB). The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18, WEB). We pray that He would surround you with His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, WEB).
It is also important to address the emotional wounds from your past that are being stirred up. The enemy often uses past traumas to bring fear, anxiety, and bitterness into our present lives. But in Christ, you are a new creation—the old has passed away, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17, WEB). We pray that the Lord would heal those wounds, renew your mind, and fill you with His peace. If unforgiveness or resentment has taken root in your heart toward those who hurt you, we encourage you to release it to the Lord. Unforgiveness only binds *you* in chains, but forgiveness sets *you* free. Jesus said, *"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions"* (Mark 11:25, WEB).
We also encourage you to put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-18 (WEB) reminds us:
*"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints."*
Lastly, we want to remind you that your identity is in Christ. You are not defined by the persecution you face or the pain of your past. You are a child of God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and He has a purpose and a plan for your life. As it is written, *"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ says Yahweh, ‘plans of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future"* (Jeremiah 29:11, WEB). Cling to this promise, and trust that the Lord is working all things together for your good, even in the midst of trials (Romans 8:28, WEB).
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before Your throne of grace on behalf of Your child who is crying out to You for deliverance. Lord, You see the persecution they are facing, and You know the depth of the pain from their past that is being stirred up. We ask that You would be their shield and their defender. Protect them from every scheme of the enemy, and let no weapon formed against them prosper (Isaiah 54:17, WEB). Surround them with Your angels, and let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Lord, we pray for those who are persecuting them. If they are acting out of malice, revenge, or ignorance, we ask that You would convict their hearts. Soften their spirits, Lord, and bring them to repentance. Let them encounter Your love and truth in a way that transforms their lives. We do not pray for their destruction, but for their salvation, that they may turn from their wicked ways and find life in You.
Father, we also pray for healing over the wounds from the past. Heal the memories that are causing pain, and replace them with Your truth. Let Your love cast out all fear (1 John 4:18, WEB), and fill this precious one with Your joy and hope. If there is any bitterness or unforgiveness in their heart, we ask that You would help them release it to You. Teach them to forgive as You have forgiven them, and set them free from every chain of the past.
Strengthen them, Lord, to stand firm in the armor of God. Fill them with Your Spirit, and let them walk in victory over every attack of the enemy. Remind them that they are more than a conqueror through Christ who loves them (Romans 8:37, WEB). Give them wisdom to navigate this season, and let them see Your hand moving on their behalf.
We thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness. We thank You that You are working all things together for their good. We declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against them in judgment, they shall condemn. This is their heritage as servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from You (Isaiah 54:17, WEB).
In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. 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. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
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