Breaking the Curse of Abuse
Introduction
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Galatians 3:13 NIV
On a Sunday morning after I had taught a lesson titled “Healing for the Emotionally Wounded,” a young man wanted to speak with me. I listened intently as he told me that he had just been released from jail and was now on probation for physically abusing his family. His wife had filed for divorce, and he was living alone. It was not easy for him to confess his sin to me, and I was impressed by his humble attitude.
He said, “I am glad that this message is being given in the church and the abused can receive ministry. Is there anywhere that the abuser can go to receive spiritual help?”
He shared with me that he was attending a support group for abusers. He desired to commit to a church where he could receive forgiveness and acceptance. He knew that any lasting change would have to be from the inside out by the Spirit. I prayed with him, but it would be three years before I could write a prayer for the abuser.
As I read, studied, and sought the Lord, I discovered that the abuser is usually a person who has been abused. Often the problem is a generational curse that has been in the family of the abuser for as far back as anyone can remember. Many times the abuser declares that he will never treat his wife and children as he has been treated, but in spite of his resolve, he finds himself reacting in the same violent manner.
The generational curse is reversed as the abuser is willing to allow God to remove the character flaws that have held him in bondage.
If you are an abuser, I encourage you to pray this prayer for yourself until it becomes a reality in your life. If you know someone who is an abuser, pray this as a prayer
Prayer
I receive and confess that Jesus is my Lord, and I ask that Your will be done in my life.
Father, You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and have brought me into the Kingdom of the Son of Your love. Once I was darkness, but now I am light in You; I walk as a child of light. The abuse is exposed and reproved by the light — it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.
Help me to grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so that I may experience Your love and trust You to be a Father to me.
The history of my earthly family is filled with abusive behavior, much hatred, strife, and rage. The painful memory of past abuse (verbal, emotional, physical, and/or sexual) has caused me to be hostile and abusive to others.
I desire to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. It seems that sin still has me in its evil grasp. This pain has caused me to hurt myself and others. In my mind I want to be Your willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.
I confess my sin of abuse, resentment, and hostility toward others, and I ask You to forgive me. You are faithful and just to forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I am tired of reliving the past in my present life, perpetuating the generational curse of anger and abuse.
Jesus was made a curse for me; therefore, Lord, I put on Your whole armor that I may be able to successfully stand against all the strategies and the tricks of the devil. I thank You that the evil power of abuse is broken, overthrown, and cast down. I submit myself to You and resist the devil. The need to hurt others no longer controls me or my family.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scripture References:
Romans 10:9 Romans 7:18-25 TLB
Matthew 6:10 1 John 1:9
Colossians 1:13 AMP Galatians 3:13
Ephesians 5:8,13 AMP Ephesians 6:11,12 TLB
2 Peter 3:18 AMP 2 Corinthians 10:5
James 1:22 James 4:7
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