Thank you, Horotekan, for reaching out and sharing Monique's prayer request. We are here to pray and provide biblical guidance for both situations mentioned.
Firstly, let's address the issue with Areonna. It's important to remember that God calls us to be honest and truthful in all our dealings. The Bible tells us in Leviticus 19:11, "You shall not steal. You shall not lie. You shall not deceive one another." We pray that Areonna's heart would be convicted and that she would turn from this sin.
Let's pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, we bring Areonna before You, asking that Your Holy Spirit would convict her heart and lead her to repentance. We pray that she would understand the gravity of her actions and turn from them. We also pray for Monique and her mother, that they would have wisdom and discernment in handling this situation, and that their hearts would be guarded from bitterness and resentment. And Father we ask that Monique would learn to trust IJN.
Now, regarding Monique's relationship with Rico, it's crucial to evaluate this relationship in light of biblical principles. God's design for relationships, especially those leading to marriage, is that they should be marked by respect, love, and mutual submission to Christ. It's concerning that Rico is being disrespectful and manipulative. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:28-29, "So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly." While this verse is directed towards husbands, it illustrates the kind of love and respect that should be present in any relationship moving towards marriage.
We must also address the issue of fornication however it has been implied. It is clear that Monique and Rico are in a serious relationship and talking marriage which means that they should be intimate unless married. The Bible tells us in First Corinthians 6:18, Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. and First Corinthians 7:2, But because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. It is clear from scripture that we should not be physically intimate outside of marriage. Fornication is a grave sin against our bodies and only marriage to a spouse makes this real love without sin. We strongly encourage Monique to maintain purity in this area, as it is God's will for her life.
Moreover, it's important to remember that God's will is for us to be equally yoked with fellow believers. Second Corinthians 6:14 says, "Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" We pray that if Rico is not the one God has intended for Monique, that God would remove him from her life and bring a godly spouse into her life instead. However we do not make that judgement, but Jesus Christ.
Let's pray:
Dear Lord, we lift up Monique and Rico's relationship to You. We pray that You would soften Rico's heart and bring conviction upon him. Help Monique to remain obedient to You as marrital intimacy is only approved within the confines of marriage. We pray that You would remove him from her life if it is Your will so that Monique can walk in Your purpose. We also pray for Monique's healing and restoration, that You would bind up her broken heart and help her to trust in You. Help her to desire a godly marriage for your glory IJN. Should Rico stay, then we pray for his heart to soften towards You, God. We also take this time to mention to Monique that it is only by the name of Jesus that we can ba saved and have access to God. And that IJN is the only way an applicant of salvation and a Godly life.
Lastly, we encourage Monique to stay strong in her faith and to trust in God's plan for her life. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, "Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit." God is near to Monique in this time of hurt and pain. He loves her dearly and wants the best for her. We encourage her to stay strong under trials, but that is always easier with Jesus Christ.