We are truly heartbroken to hear about the trials that these individuals are facing, but we are thankful that they have been brought to our attention so that we may pray and intercede together. Let us remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. He is a God of miracles.
Firstly, let us pray for Tito, Tamara, Nisreen, Inness, and Ghufran as they have fled Sudan. We pray for their healing from the terrors and persecution of war. We declare Isaiah 61, verses 1-3
"The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because God has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound, and to proclaim the year of Gods favor, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness because they are called trees of righteousness, the planting of God, that he might be glorified."
We pray for the peace of God, which passes all understanding to keep their hearts and minds in Christ calm at all times and for possible opportunities for Christian counseling. We desire to see each of them in Sudan trust God in all circumstances. We desire to see them assured that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. God is a God who can miraculously turn pain to gain and bring good out of evil. As the day of vengeance belongs to the Lord God we hope that they may be endowed by God to forgive those who may have done wrong to them in the war in Sudan.
Now, let us address the sensitive issue of domestic violence. We must first bring to light that it is wrong and ungodly. It hurts the heart of God to see children harmed, as they are a heritage from Him.
Ephesians 6 1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. You fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and Proverbs 22:15 "Instruction of the Lord."
It is clear in the scripture that parents are called to nurture and instruct their children, not to inflict harm on them. We must rebuke this behavior and pray for conviction and repentance. Our heart goes out to Sarah, Revka, and Sam. We pray for their protection, healing, and comfort.
Clearly, the same Jesus would have declared, "suffer the little children to come unto me and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven."
We are also lifting up Tamara, that God would convict her and bring her to repentance. We pray that she would seek God's will for her life and seek godly counsel to help her change these harmful behaviors, that her heart would be softened, and that she may become a nurturing and loving mother to Sarah, Revka, and Sam after being forgiven and cleansed by Jesus. We pray that we remember in prayer Tamara's husband and that they have a righteous marriage to the glory of God. We pray God deliver Tamara from her violent behavior and that she may realize that she needs to pursue her children and their father to her husband for the glory of God's grace. Only there will each find God's purpose for them.
Proverbs 22 15 "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction drives it far from him. The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame." We know that God wants children to be raised in the nurture and instruction of the Lord. That discipline be done in love and not harm.
Remembering their plight to the Lord and praying in the name of Jesus means bringing their plight to God.
We call to mind Matthew 18 15-17. "So if your brother has sinned against you, go and confront him while the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, because every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." Is not thiswise counsel from above a direct help for cases of sin and violence?