I don't know how...

Someone in our church, a leader, has not been acting or conducting himself as such. His whole family has been targeting my dad and our family since April/May. They've all done some pretty hurtful things. The easy thing to do would be to leave but God hasn't called us to leave yet.

I was sitting here, reading an email my mom sent me last week about praying for this leader... I want to but I don't know how or what to pray. :'( How do I pray for someone(and his family) that is preaching God's word but acting and doing the things they are doing? I don't even know how to feel because I'm so torn between loving many other people in this church and feeling insecure around the rest. It hurts so bad sometimes I can't breathe between the tears I'm shedding.

I'm willing (at least I hope I am) to pray for them all... I just don't know what to pray... :'(

Pray that God opens theirs eyes, ears and heart to him, and will see the error of their ways.

You can pray by the bible [h=1]Psalm 73New International Version (NIV) . God Bless you[/h]

Philippians 4:13

Talk to another leader of the church that you trust to pray with and be a mediator if needed.

If you don't have a leader or elder you can trust, you should leave the church.

Usually, when someone is tormenting me, and there is nothing I can say or do to resolve the matter, I just ignore that person as much as possible. That might not be easy if the person is a leader, but it's still the only tool I know that gives me hope, in some situations.

We have tried, but they don't want to resolve it. We had resolved other matters that came up, in fact, we went to them when they should've come to us but that didn't matter either. They think their better and God appointed and nothing is going to get in their way because it's God's will that they are where they are. And that's their words.

This leader is not the head church leader, it's only one of the leaders one of the ministry's. I'm moving out of the Sunday school class he and his family lead, but they don't lead the rest of the church or any other part than the young adults ministry.

God hasn't called us to leave this church yet, so I'm trying to figure how to pray for my them (instinctively I want to say enemies but it isn't right because they're supposed to be our brothers/sisters in Christ). And act, sometimes I don't know how to act around them. They act so fake-nice it makes me sick. I'm a kind-loving natured person and try to be nice to everyone even people I don't like all that much, but it's hard to know how to act when I just want to ask, "Why?" and "just stop it already, you're not acting like Jesus would act."

I can't ignore them as much as I'd like to because of the ministry they lead is my age group and all the people I know and am getting to know are in that group. Sure I could tell everyone what's going on but that would just cause division and chaos amongst us all. That's how God wants it handled.

I'm not looking for analyzing this situation or how to approach a situation, I'm looking for what I can do for myself and while letting God handle the rest. We've tried and only God can take care of what's going on. We're supposed to pray and act a certain way and that's what I'm trying to figure out. I know no one person is going to have the correct answer, only the Holy Spirit can guide us in the way we're supposed to go, but as brothers/sisters in Christ we can help one another by pointing to the Bible and what the Holy Spirit has shared with you.

Thank you all for your great responses so far, I really appreciate them all.

Sometimes when I don't know what to pray I tell God just that... I don't know what to pray for....fortunately for us the Holy Spirit knows what is on our heart and takes over for us.

I prayed that way about if I should have a relationship or not for years. Lord I don't know what to pray for in this area. I was single for 35 years but the Lord provided a husband when I didn't know if I should go that direction or not. So I know He will help you in this area you are having problems with.

I also would pray that I give whatever the problem is to God and knew that He would solve it and He has. So just release this situation to Him and watch Him work trusting that He will take care of it as it should be taken care of.

Sorry you and your family have suffered over this.

What is step-2? Did I say it without realizing it? LOL. I do that sometimes.

Thank you that was very encouraging to hear.

Are you any good at descriptive writing? Get some paper and write all your feelings down. Feelings are how we know what is going on inside us, so get it all down on paper from your perspective, truly and without pulling any punches, as many incidences dates and times etc and then take it to a prayer partner. If you don't have one , please find one. I will advise you find someone not in your own peer group. If there isn't one pray one in, God will provide. The upshot being that when things are bought into the light they can be worked on. I will pray for this too.

Matthew 18:

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Prayers sent

Lord we pray, let you bless the church leader and family to have a Godly and friendly relationship with victorybelle and family. remove all the bitterness, and also put in victorybelle's heart to pray as the Holy Spirit lead. Lord bless everyone of this two family to walk in your ways, in Jesus gracious name, Amen!

Amen!

Thank you Levi85! :')

Thank you Bakerchaz, yes I'm a very descriptive writer. I journal just about everyday. It's how I pray to God most of the time too. I will purpose to do that specifically though. Thank you for the advise, wisdom, and prayers!