It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Psalms 118:8 NIV
Today’s devotion, designed to pray for your city, is a challenge. I am diving into the past to relay a time I was filled with fear.
Why? Because God offers the opportunity of refuge to everyone.
Who am I to withhold it from anyone?
When I was about nineteen or twenty, someone crossed my path who I did not want to know. Ever!
Once he noticed me, it was too late.
He was fixated.
He threatened me.
I needed to take action.
I did not want to be in this spot and had done nothing to be in it. I had to push back on the fear.
I began the legal process to obtain a restraining order. The court date arrived, a looming October 31st. The judge had only one question for me, to confirm my name.
Shaking inside, I stated my name. The man’s record was enough evidence to back up my complaint.
The judge granted me the restraining order. “Three years at no less than 100 yards,” it clearly stated.
The court-issued paper, decreeing the 100-yard distance, did not remove my fear. Driving around town, I constantly looked in my rearview mirror to see who was behind me.
Years later and living in another town, God spoke to my heart about that man. It was a Sunday morning and I was sitting next to my husband in a pew at church.
I fought back on what God was prompting me to do. Pray for that man? He terrified me. But God would not be quiet. “If you don’t, who will?”
I knew at that moment that no one was, likely ever had, nor would ever pray for him.
I prayed for him, knowing the gift of refuge is an eternal promise, to be shared.
Father,
We come to you this week, on behalf of the victims of crime and the offenders too.
Thank you for the refuge you offer each of us. We lift up those in our city who are hurting or angry about a crime committed against them. Restore them and give them peace of mind.
Your son died for criminals too and was often filled with compassion, even on the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV We lift up those who are in prison. Show them another way, a way toward your perfect peace and restoration of their hearts.
Amen
Dear Reader,
You may have been the victim of a crime at some time in your life. Please know I am praying for you today.
PS Next month, when we pray for our cities, we are going to look at the third part of these situations.
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I’m so grateful God kept you safe. (I’m assuming that’s how it ended.) Praying for people who hurt or threaten us is hard to do. Thanks for the reminder and example that we should and can pray for them.
God did keep me safe. Thankfully. Thanks for stopping by. It is easier doing hard things when we are not alone in the doing of them.
I was in similar situations & it is very scary. When I think about those people, I really have to renew my mind & yes PRAY for them too. I often wonder what ever became of them but that’s as far as I allow my mind to go because much anxiety & shame fights to surface. Guard our hearts is what God’s Word says. I’m still in the process of healing & one of my spiritual goals is to pray for those that hurt me. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
Oh sweet Shyla, I am sorry you have experienced similar situations. Thank you for sharing about it. May God’s unending love for you, comfort and sooth your heart in those times of remembrance. ✝️🙏🏻