UPDATE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Greetings -

Today I read an article dated yesterday, October 11, 2010, on www.bcnn1.com from ChristianityToday.com titled, "Domestic Abuse: Coming to a Church Near You."  It goes on to say, "Christian filmmaker Olivia Klaus goes inside California prisons to hear the stories of survivors of domestic violence who killed their husbands." 

On Sunday September 19, 2010, I posted on this blog the topic, "DOMESTIC VIOLENCE" and on the same date, September 19, 2010, "PRAYER ABOUT DOMESTIC ABUSE."  

When I read today the article from Christianity Today, my soul was encouraged to know that there are Christian people who are helping victims of these horrid existences.  Below are re-posts of what was posted here on Sunday September 19, 2010 with yellow highlighting for emphasis.

Also, after the subject re-posts are comments from Timothy relative to the matter.

Thank you for your indulgence and please continue to pray for those ensnared by domestic violence.

RE-POST #1:

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Greetings -

Do you believe that enough churches are dealing effectively with domestic abuse issues? There are pastors and church leaders who are verbally and/or physically abusive to their spouses and family members. Abuse victims sit in churches in silent anguish because of the treatment that they receive from their loved ones. Many of those loved ones sit in churches right beside those who they abuse.

I am 54 years old and have only heard about two sermons that mentioned the issue of domestic abuse. Yet domestic abuse is a major and regular occurence in numerous households as evidenced by court dockets and news reports. My opinion is that more churches should minister effectively about this grievous stronghold.

Indeed domestic violence is a very sensitive issue and cannot be handled casually or without some expert training about the sensitivities involved. Love, of course, is necessary in the equation but knowledge of the dynamic is crucial as is wisdom in treatment applications. Our Lord is able to provide the suitable experts to penetrate the viciousness of domestic violence. Let it begin in His sanctuaries. Who will say, "Here am I Lord, send me?"
 
RE-POST #2:
 
PRAYER ABOUT DOMESTIC ABUSE
 
Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thank You for Your love, care, and faithfulness. This prayer is for abusers, the abused, and those who can help in the matters of domestic abuse.

For abusers: Lord, Your hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither Your ear heavy, that it cannot hear. Father, we know that nothing is impossible with You. Draw, please, abusers by Your marvelous love, grace, forgiveness and mercy. Many of them have been abused themselves. Their souls cry out for help but they do not know how to slay the demonic that resides within them. Minister to them, please, Father and quell their inner storms. Reach to the deepness of them and penetrate them to the core of their being and free them from their dark existences. Your Word teaches us your realities and one of Your realities is that not all shall be saved. I pray this prayer from what JESUS stated in John 17:9, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." Pull their miserable souls, Father, out of the fire.

For the abused: Father, there is much pain, fear and hurt in the lives of the abused. I call upon You, please, to rescue people from abuse. Expose and rebuke their abusers and if they do not forsake their abuses, let justice prevail. Save the abused and give them hearts after Yours. Let them come to You, Lord, with tears flowing so that You can wipe their sobs away. Bind up their wounds and let healing manifest and free them from their horrors. Prove to them that You can minister to their every need in gigantic porportions. Teach them to forgive for indeed there is freedom in forgiveness. Build them up Lord because for so long they have been torn down. Send people to love on them - they need rich relationships. Give them the hope of glory and the peace that passes all understanding. Assure them that You are their rescuer, deliverer, strong tower, shield and buckler. Envelop them in Your secure embrace.

For those who can help: Father, please move upon people to help those who are captive in abuse situations. Give sensitivity training to people to reach out to those who live in shame, fear, and rage.
Help people to get understanding about domestic abuse. Provide people with skill sets to make major differences in the lives of those who are bound. You are holy, Father, and You have holy people who can dismantle the wicked devices of Satan. You have people who can do warfare against the forces of darkness. We walk in the light and our lights need to be burning. We are not to be as the Levite and the Priest who passed by the one in need. (Luke 10:33). Your Word commands us in Galatians 6:2, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Let us do it, Lord, according to Your Word. It is our duty as Your vessels of honor.

I decree Lord that You will answer this prayer in manifold ways with bountiful evidence to manifest - because that is your signature style.
Thank you, Lord, - Amen.

Scripture references:

Isaiah 59:1
Psalm 147:3
Psalm 116
Psalm 35:2
Psalm 84:11
Revelation 7:17
Revelation 21:4
 
Timothy's comments sent to me today, Tuesday October 12, 2010, via e-mail:
 
To: nowgloryacts@yahoo.com
 
When I volunteered as a prayer minister, we would occasionally have women come in, alluding to abuse. I recall one woman who came in, looking like she had been abused all her life. She had written on the request card, "trouble at home."
 
Norma D. and I had been paired up as prayer ministers that evening. When we got this woman, it was obvious she was troubled. Norma asked her, "What's the matter? You can tell us." The woman looked halfway between us and froze. I said, "I think I'll get a drink of water. I'll see you later." Norma was surprised. But after I left, this woman told Norma a sordid account of what had happened to her for 45 minutes. Norma offered inner healing prayer for her and helped her out a lot. It would have remained buried if I had stayed.

Most churches don't know how to pray for inner healing these women need. Not even the pastors. They are referred to secular psychologists and psychiatrists who don't have the grace and heart of God to be effective. Christian psychologists usually use the secular methods that don't work.

My favorite methods are "Theophostic" by Rev. Ed Smith and "Freedom In Christ ministries" by Rev. Neil Anderson. They can be used by laymen without violating any counseling regulations. They can also be used directly by the hurting. I have seen amazing results using Rev. Smith's wisdom. I have heard of powerful healings from Rev. Anderson's wisdom.

Please learn one or both of these methods.

-- Tim Temple