A victim's prayer

I am praying for victims of domestic violence. I have never lived in an environment where I feel unsafe or where I fear for my children's safety. But I am empathetic. I can imagine. I sincerely hope that this prayer that I am offering can be accepted and embraced in the spirit intended. If you are living a life of fear and survival is all you hope for; if avoiding the next "incident" is what you pray for, please take these words to heart.

A Victim's Prayer

Listen to my prayer, O God. Don’t ignore my pleas!
Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

My enemy shouts at me, making loud and wicked threats.
He brings trouble on me and angrily hunts me down.
My heart pounds in my chest. Terror assaults me.

Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
Oh, if I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!
I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.
How quickly I would escape—far from this wild storm of hatred.

Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,
for I see violence and conflict in my home.
The doors and windows are locked, but the real danger is within these walls.
Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant.

It is not a stranger who taunts me—I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them.
Instead, it is my partner, my companion and close friend, my lover, my mate.
What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together.

Let death stalk my enemies; let the grave swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.

But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me.
Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.
He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me.
God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them.
For my enemy refuses to change his ways; he does not fear God.

As for my companion, he betrayed me; he broke his promises.
His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”

You, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction.
I trust you to save me.

For victims of domestic violence, I pray for your escape. Look for pathways to get out, make plans, take action. Trust God, He wants a better life for you than what you are living.

Peace,