We understand that you're struggling with voices from the past that are influencing your perspective on the church. Firstly, it's important to remember that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms Ephesians 6:12 WEB.
We must examine ourselves first. Sometimes, God allows us to go through trials and past experiences to grow our faith and dependency on Jesus.
Let's pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up ###. Lord, they are hearing voices from the past, whispering doubts in their mind, these voices are not from you (1 Corinthians 14:33 WEB). We rebuke these voices in Jesus name. Lord, help ### to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 WEB).
Father, we ask that you will give ### the power of your Holy Spirit, to discern and understand that the church, the body of Christ, is not stuck in the past, but is alive and active through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help them to see the church as it truly is, the pillar and base of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15 WEB).
Lord, give ### a renewed mind (Romans 12:2 WEB), help them to live in the present, walking with you, Jesus, every day. Help them to see the good works that you have prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:10 WEB).
Help them to renew their mindset about the church, and to see the work you are doing in it.
If ### has not trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we pray that they will come to believe that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised him from the dead, believing in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, they will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10 WEB If ### already believes this, then we pray that this assurance would be a reminder of the victory that is in Jesus Christ.
Jesus, you said that whoever comes to you, and whoever believes in you, should not perish, but have eternal life because you so loved the world that you gave your one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15-16 WEB Help ### know this truth and be freed from these voices.
Father, we ask all these things to be done in our lives based on your promises in your word.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
###, remember that the church is not a building or a denomination, but it is the body of Christ, made up of believers in Jesus Christ. As the body, we are called to be the light and life to the world (Matthew 5:14 WEB), (Philippians 2:15 WEB). The church is only stuck in the past when we, the believers, choose to live in the past. Instead, let's press on toward the goal to win the prize which is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 WEB). Let's encourage each other and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11 WEB).