This month we are going to pray for abuse victims and the
abusers. Yes, it is tough, and it will
not make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.
This is a huge issue in our world.
All of us, whether we know it or not, know someone who has been abused
or is being abused.
Facts: Every 107 seconds (almost every 2 minutes)
another American is sexually assaulted. 1 in 3 women worldwide have been
beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. 1 in 4 girls
and 1 in 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. Nearly 31% of American women report being
physical or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their
lives. It is not just women who are abused
by their partners, men, also, are being abused by their wife, girlfriend, or
partner.
“O Lord, you hear the desires of the
afflicted: you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do
justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth
may strike terror no more.” Psalm 10:17-18
These numbers are staggering. Why does God allow this? I know I have asked this question. It has taken prayer, and searching to soothe
my heart. What I have found is that sin is in this world. That is not an easy answer. What God has shown me is that He has given
each of us have free will. With that
free will there are certain things that God “choses” not to interfere. Sin is one of those. If God interfered with a person’s free will,
then it would not be free will.
That does not give comfort to those who are being abused,
mentally, physically, spiritually, or sexually. We must pray that abuse victims
get the help they need. There is
something that we can do too, besides prayer.
If you know that abuse is taking place, it is our duty to do something
about it. We can be the answer to prayer ourselves.
If you suspect a child, or an adult you are acquainted with is
possibly being abused, do something. You
can be the safe place if they need to talk to you, and you can help them with
the next steps, reporting, or other. Do you know that only 68% of sexual
assaults are reported?
You can do something.
You can get involved, and support them. Some people feel so alone. Prayer
is necessary, but if you know someone who needs help, then actions are equally
necessary. Even action towards those
abusing. Help them, report them, and be
there for them, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Pray for those that are abusing. We need to pray that they will listen to the
Holy Spirit, and their hearts will be softened.
Anyone can change, because God doesn’t give up on anyone. He hurts for all of us.
How can I say that?
Because, I have seen the abuser years later finally being set free from
his sins. God is taking Him on the
journey.
God has the ability to make everyone new. Jesus died for all of us, the abused, and the
abusers. Pray that God will shine the
light on the darkness. God can make us
whole, if we are willing to be made whole.
“The Lord also will be a refuge for the
oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9
There are resources out there. If you have been abused, there is hope. If
you have abused, there is hope. God
wants you, and He will show you, if we only have our eyes and ears open. There is help out there.
For those that maybe don’t know of anyone that has been
abused, or is abusing, pray that God would show you what He wants you to
do. Maybe, it is just you praying
specifically, and that is great too.
“For You are my rock and my fortress;
and for Your name’s sake You lead and guide me;” Psalm 31:3-4
Dear Lord
Blessed be Your name. There is sin in this world,
and we want You to come, and destroy all the sin. Yet, while we live in this world there will
be sin. We pray for the people who are
being abused. We also pray for those
abusing. You are the Way, the Truth and
the Life, and anyone who comes to You will have eternal life. Shine the light, be the Light for the world
to see.
Amen
Laura Maxson
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