About the author
More posts by Moderator
-
-
Their Day in Court: Part Three
February 22, 2019 // 130 Comments -
Their Day in Court: Part Two
February 22, 2019 // 0 Comments -
Their Day in Court: Part One
February 22, 2019 // 0 Comments -
Statement from Recovering Grace regarding the lawsuit a ...
March 28, 2018 // 186 Comments -
Rethinking the Nativity
December 25, 2016 // 144 Comments
-
Plaintiffs Amend Lawsuit Against IBLP, Also Sue Bill Go ...
January 10, 2016 // 1311 Comments -
Charlotte's Story
February 5, 2014 // 601 Comments -
Bill’s Cabin: Uncovering Sin
May 21, 2014 // 475 Comments -
How the Teachings of Emotional Purity and Courtship Dam ...
July 22, 2011 // 431 Comments -
Sacred Grooming, Part Six: A Secretary's Account of Lif ...
January 31, 2014 // 405 Comments
-
Yes, I agree with you 100%. There are a lot of ove ...
September 24, 2020 -
Rob, this also sounds like a variation on the "pro ...
September 20, 2020 -
what Bill taught can be summed up with the term "m ...
August 27, 2020 -
August 21, 2020
-
Indeed. Any attempt to attain righteous by adherin ...
August 21, 2020 -
Psalm 34:15-22 (ESV) reading for today (The face o ...
August 16, 2020 -
Psalm 34:15-22 (ESV) reading for today (The face o ...
August 16, 2020 -
If every accusation against Gothard were false, an ...
August 14, 2020 -
@Rob War "IBLP's downward spiral began before B ...
August 13, 2020 -
Yes, perfect judgement. Bill is no longer the "thi ...
August 12, 2020 -
I'm sure Bill and those supporting him are upset w ...
August 12, 2020 -
Kevin, Thank you. I had a longer reply, but it ...
August 12, 2020 -
You have done an excellent job Larne! You state ...
August 11, 2020 -
Kevin, Your comment about "Witnesses" is intere ...
August 11, 2020 -
Hi Rob. Yes, it is a downward spiral. I read some ...
August 11, 2020 -
Hi Larne, Good to hear from you. Yes, they have h ...
August 11, 2020 -
Rob and Kevin, They have had more than enough t ...
August 11, 2020 -
I can only imagine that the Covid-19 shut downs ha ...
August 10, 2020
-
Heavenly Father and God of Grace and Peace,
Today we pause and lift up Bill Gothard in a special way before your throne. We ask that you infuse his heart with your presence, your holiness, your love, and your grace.
We pray that you reveal to him the truth of your Word, the truth of your ways, the truth of who you are as it is only truth that sets men free.
We pray for his family, that you would bring about unity and reconciliation as we know you love it when unity abounds in the family.
We pray most of all that you Lord will be magnified, exalted, and revealed to all as a gracious, loving, merciful Father who longs to have fellowship with us on the basis of who you really are, apart from anything we can or could ever do.
Thank you for being who you are, thank you that Grace has a Face in your Son, Jesus, and in his name we come to you, Amen.
Praying for repentance and healing.
Father God, I pray for the victims. I pray for those who know they are harmed, and those who were spiritually or emotionally harmed and may not know it yet. I pray for all involved to have healing and to have a relationship with you. I pray for justice and cleansing. I pray for a restoration of damaged relationships, and I pray for spiritual growth for those involved.
I would also like to thank you for being with everybody involved in this time, and I pray that all would feel your presence and know that they are not alone right now.
Above all, I pray for a speedy resolution, and for truth to reign.
Amen.
Father may your KINGDOM come.Please.
Father may religion and all other kingdoms go.
Lord Jesus,
I lift up the IBLP Board to you as they seek your truth. I pray that you would guide the current investigation and give a peace that passes understanding to the hearts of all who are involved.
I pray especially for Bill, that you would reveal the truth of your grace with him. I pray that he would be given the gift of true repentance---a gift that only comes out of your kindness and mercy. I pray that you would give him ears to hear and understand and be broken over the vast number of lives his wrong teachings and actions have damaged through the years.
I pray for the many girls whose lives have been affected by his wrong actions. Please bring healing to them as they walk this difficult road of acknowledging and speaking openly, perhaps for the first time, of the pain from their past. Give them friends and family who will embrace them and remind them that they're not walking this road alone. Most of all, please make your presence real to each one of them. May they find in you a kind Shepherd, a heart-Healer, a close Friend---one who will never leave them nor forsake them no matter how difficult the road. Give courage and strength to those who wonder how they will make it through one more day.
Thank you for hearing our prayers, for answering, and drawing near to all who are involved in this situation. We all stand in great need of you, sweet Jesus!
Lord, please grant courage and strength for all involved to seek your will and do the right thing.
Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.
Luke 11:1-4
Amen
Father God,
I pray today for Mr. Gothard, that you would demonstrate to Him Your love, Your peace, and Your compassion. I ask that you give him the desire and courage to do the right thing.
I pray for the Board of Directors, that in these days of turmoil and trouble that You would hold them to their position of authority as men who proclaim Your truth, Your grace, Your forgiveness and eternal salvation.
I pray for those who's lives have been deeply wounded and damaged, that You would restore them to Your joy and peace.
I pray for those who have fallen into the bondage of legalism, that You would lift them up to the true freedom that can only come from Christ's death and resurrection.
I pray for the families that have been split and divided, that You would bring true reconciliation between parents and their children.
May the cause of Christ be exalted above all things and all matters. May Your name be glorified in all proceedings and decisions. May truth reign supreme.
Amen
Thank-you Lord for even wanting to care for us, knowing we are but dust, that your grace covers all our sins. that we can do nothing to earn that grace and that you offer it freely. Open our hearts that we may hear that grace and how it involves us all.
I pray for justice and unity in this situation. I ask that you open the eyes of the blinded and direct them on Your path.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
Dear Father,
How good and gracious you have been to me. You have lavished your grace upon me, according to the purpose of your will. You have freely forgiven me, as I have repented and cried out to you. O Father, pour out your gracious love upon all those who have been so deeply affected.
I pray for the light of your truth, a truth that brings freedom, to be poured out. I pray for the lies to be exposed. The lies that have been spoken to others, as well as the lies that we speak to ourselves. Bring your healing light. I pray in the Name of Jesus that the power of Satan would be broken, for you have come to set the captives free. Set them free Lord. Set the free. Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your boundless grace and mercy in setting the captives free. Thank you for never giving up on us. We continue to ask for you to show yourself strong on behalf of every single person ever involved in any ministry connected to Bill Gothard, from Bill himself, down to the newest baby. Break our hearts for what breaks yours. You love each and every person, and are unwilling that any should perish, but all have eternal life. Please break the hearts of any of us who are living in any kind of unrepentant sin, especially Bill. Give the board members courage to face the music, even if it might mean some of them are held accountable for their own sins. Give any and all young ladies whose SOL's aren't expired, the courage to come forward and press charges, Hear the cries of your children who are broken with grief and pain. Send your healing to us all!
In Jesus Holy Name I ask these things!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Heavenly Father,
You are such an awesome God. You alone are worthy of all praise and devotion. You will not share your glory with another.
I want to pray for Bill Gothard today. I pray that his eyes of understanding will be opened today. I pray that he will see his sin for what it truly is and understand the grief and heart-ache that he has caused so many making no excuses for it. I pray that he will have a genuine repentant heart and find reconciliation with You God. I pray that Bill will come forward publically and acknowledge his wrongdoings without making excuses for his behavior.
I pray for the board of IBLP. I pray that you will take the time to read these stories of former ATI students and parents on Recovering Grace. I pray that you won't just dismiss them accusing them as being bitter. I pray that you would look at all of the evidence put before you. I pray you would consider all of the phone calls, letter, and emails that you have received about this matter. I pray you would allow the truth to be made known. I pray that you will not be guilty of trying to cover anything up as has been done in the past. I pray you will put all of your personal feelings for Bill Gothard aside and do what is right and lawful. Our God is great and He is fully capable of taking care of His reputation.
I also pray and you as a board will bring in a completely neural third party who has much experience in dealing with these issues and charges. Please lay aside all pride and do what it fair, just and right.
I want to also pray for all of the families and people who have been affected by Bill's teachings, abuse, mistreatments, harassments, and etc. I pray that today there will be a major breakthrough for them. For those who no longer believe there is a God, I pray Lord, that you will draw them back to you and that they would know that you really do love them and that you are awesome and that your grace is unmerited, but it is freely given to those who believe. I pray for healing for the wounded and broken-hearted. I pray for salvation for those who need a genuine relationship with you. One that is based on trust and grace and not on works and legalism.
I want to pray for all of the parents who raised their families with the teachings of Bill Gothard and who have so many regrets. May each one find comfort in you Lord knowing that you love them in spite of their failures. Help each person be able to forgive themselves and may their children be willing to forgive them.
I pray for the many students whose parents are still blinded to the heresies of Bill's teachings and who are in broken relationships with their children. May their parents eyes be opened today to what is the truth regarding Bill Gothard. May the young people realize that most of the parents thought they were doing right.
I pray for courage for any and all people who were abused by Bill Gothard that haven't come forward yet to come forward with their stories and to not be afraid.
May this be the day that healing begins for many.
I pray and ask in the mighty and wonderful name of my Savior who is Jesus Christ, Amen
AMEN!
Thank You for the people of Recovering Grace who have spent many hours, sometimes in the face of skepticism or hostility, to bring forward the truth in a loving way. Thank You for the awkward appearance stage You allowed me to go through during my years in ATI. For the first time, I realize that having been more attractive might have cost me abuse, and my admiration for Mr. Gothard’s beautiful girls has turned to compassion. Please give validation and healing to those who suffered. If I could pray for us to wake up tomorrow and find out this was all a mistake, I would, but I cannot. The events and testimonies surrounding the reports are too commonly witnessed to allow much mistake, if any at all. So, I pray for Bill Gothard, that he would admit to what he’s done and spare his victims further trauma from any need to defend their testimonies. I pray You would smooth the transition of this ministry into faithful hands. I thank You for halting my connection with ATI when You did so that I am not currently on staff. I pray for those who are still associated in any way, that You would protect them from unfounded harassment by the media or public. I pray for all of us who grew up with ATI and IBLP teachings, that You would continue to lead us toward truth and help us to identify and separate from error. Help us, God, through our shock and disbelief. Restore our lives. Lead us on.
AMEN!
Lord, we thank you for this sistuation, we thank you that you are in control of this and we ask you that your WILL be done that non of what we want will hinder what you want. I thank you for Recovering grace and all of the people apart of it I pray you will give healing to those who have been hurt and restoration. I pray for Iblp/ATI and Mr. Gothard, please, give wisdom to everyone that is involved d and understanding. I know that Mr. Gothard, Recovering grace, and the Board of directors want your will in this. I pray above all things that you will be glorified Jesus! Amen.
Amos 5
A Lament and Call to Repentance
Hear this word, Israel, this lament I take up concerning you:
“Fallen is Virgin Israel,
never to rise again,
deserted in her own land,
with no one to lift her up.”
This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Israel:
“Your city that marches out a thousand strong
will have only a hundred left;
your town that marches out a hundred strong
will have only ten left.”
This is what the Lord says to Israel:
“Seek me and live;
do not seek Bethel,
do not go to Gilgal,
do not journey to Beersheba.
For Gilgal will surely go into exile,
and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.”
Seek the Lord and live,
or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire;
it will devour them,
and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
There are those who turn justice into bitterness
and cast righteousness to the ground.
He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
who turns midnight into dawn
and darkens day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea
and pours them out over the face of the land—
the Lord is his name.
With a blinding flash he destroys the stronghold
and brings the fortified city to ruin.
There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court
and detest the one who tells the truth.
You levy a straw tax on the poor
and impose a tax on their grain.
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
you will not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes
and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times,
for the times are evil.
Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph...
...I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
BUT LET JUSTICE ROLL ON LIKE A RIVER, RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A NEVER-FAILING STREAM!
FROM MITCHELL CHAPMAN
TO INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA P.O.BOX 915 PURCELLVILLE, VA 20134
TELEPHONE 540 317 2070 FAX 540 751 0984
please pray for Bill Gothard and the recovering grace ministry,
the institute of basic youth conflicts, and the Board of directors
of the ministry.
My Heavenly Father, I am moved to tears by the prayers of my family in Christ as I look over this page. How sweet and wonderful they must sound in your ears and appear in your sight, that Your children are lifting their hearts and voices together...not in anger and irritation but in love and concern. Please hear our prayers together as one huge prayer...to heal, to restore, to love, to turn things around...to give glory and honor to You. For the furtherance of Your Gospel, for the advancement of Your kingdom and for the praise of Your glory.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen
Ezekiel 18:24-28
"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live, he will not die.
I John 1:5-10
This is the message that we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Dear Lord, I can't begin to understand fully what these verses mean. I know that I memorized I John many years ago at the prompting of Bill Gothard and You have used these verses many times in my life to draw me to Your Light and to Your Truth. How can I ever thank You for all You have done and are doing for me? These verses in Ezekiel say that if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does the same detestable things the wicked man does that none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Dear Lord I beg You please do not let this become true for Bill Gothard. Please help him to see clearly how he has hurt and sinned against those You allowed him to care for and minister to. Help him to have a Godly sorrow that leads to repentance. Help him to repent and do the deeds that demonstrate that repentance. Lord, it appears that he has rationalized his wicked deeds for a very long time and in my human mind it appears to me that it will be impossible to penetrate the fortress he has built up around himself. But nothing is impossible with You dear Lord and I cry out to you on Bill Gothard's behalf that You would penetrate his fortress of justifying himself to himself, please penetrate every stronghold that he has erected to keep himself from admitting the truth to himself. It is true that many will be hurt when he admits openly to his own sin and begins to do the deeds of repentance but You are capable of protecting Your reputation and You can bring glory to Yourself through anything. Please Lord, help him in this time to repent. And please grant extraordinary courage to the board to execute Your will in this situation. Help them to realize that You have put them in this position for "such a time as this." Help them Lord to see it through. I, too Lord want to thank you for Recovering Grace and for the place they have provided to share and to heal. Help us all Lord to do as Hebrews 12:1&2 says and "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray.
Lord, I can't find the right words for this. I ask that you would rain down grace and truth on this whole situation. May any secret sins of abuse and exploitation be exposed in the light of day. May the guilty ones be led to repentance by your kindness. Many any false claims turn to dust. May those who were wounded find help and healing. May we all follow your lead, you, the only one was ever perfectly "full of grace and truth."
Jesus,
Nothing surprises You. Nothing is too big for You. You hold all of this in Your hands. You have purposes and plans beyond our hopes and imaginations. It is easy for us to look at see the mess, the abuse, the sin, the suffering...but You can look above all that and see Your glory. And that is what I pray for...that Your glory - Your power, and worth, and love, and sovereignty - will be revealed.
I pray for many to find genuine salvation, apart from works that they can do, simply through faith in the death and resurrection of Yourself. That they would realize that You did it all, that there is nothing left to do, except to trust You and receive Your gift. I pray that people would be released from the lies that they have believed about You. That they would be released from fear of You. That they would see and feel and believe Your love, Your ridiculous, overwhelming, incomprehensible love! It doesn't make sense that You would love us like this - enough to die for us. But that is the beauty of it...You love us because You chose to, because You want to, because You like it...and that is all. We don't bring You anything, but You love us anyway. You wanted us enough to become a human, be tortured, and die the most gruesome death imaginable...because of Your love.
Jesus, You were ignored and misrepresented by many people through ATI and IBLP. We are going to shout the truth about You now!! Because the Law you gave the Israelites was to show them their sin...so show them that they would never be good enough to get to God by themselves...to show them how much they needed a Savior. And that is all. It was to point us to Christ!! Jesus, it's all about YOU!
Let this become all about You. Let us look back and see Jesus. Let us see thousands of people find freedom in true salvation because of You! Be glorified! Be made REAL! Let Your power and Your might and Your love explode.
I love You, Jesus! But not as much as You love me!!! Amen.
God of True Grace,
In recent years - months, even - there have been so many dreadful sex scandals emerging to light from within Christian circles. As a body - as Your Body - we seem to have dealt with most of these absymally. Please, make this different. Please bring Mr Gothard and all of those implicated with him into a breathtaking and radical repentence which shows our cynical and angry world the uniqueness of your love
Jess from the UK, who has no links at all to ATI, but has been reading and caring, and praying every since she first saw the Duggars on TV
Praying with all of you. Thank you for posting.
Oh Lord, we pray again what so many hundreds and thousands have prayed over the years. We pray that in this powerful day of prayer, You will give Bill Gothard a new measure of humility that he has perhaps never experienced before. May he be humbled first of all before You completely. May he experience the Beautitude-like humility--Blessed are the poor in spirit--may he recognize, like he has never seen before, his spiritual poverty--that he in himself is worthless and worse than that (just like I am and we all are). Blessed are the those who mourn--may he mourn over his wickedness and spiritual poverty. Blessed are the meek--May he be brought to genuine meekness--humility before you. May he hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Lord, may this humility before you lead Bill then, to genuine repentance, genuine understanding of what he has done, and genuine willingness to make it all right. Cause him to come clean. Cause him to humble himself completely before his board. Cause him to humble himself genuinely before his entire present and former team. Cause him especially then, to humble himself in confession before his many accusers--those specifically that he has wronged in so many ways.
In bringing this humility to Bill, Father, we ask You to help him to see that this can mean an incredible opportunity to be used the rest of his years on earth to participate in the healing and spiritual growth of so many tens or hundreds or even thousands.
Lord, break Bill, so that he can be clean before you and so that you will be incredibly glorified before all those watching and in many ways receive praise from around the world.
Ultimately, Father, you are about reaching people from every people group of the World. Do an incredible work here that would move us all to join with you in that purpose. We love you Father!
Father God, Lord of mercy and light, let your truth shine boldly in this hour. Let your grace reign among the members of the IBLP Board of Directors, as they meet together and as they return home again. Let their hearts hear your gracious words and let them not close their ears. Open their eyes to the word of your Truth. Bring healing to the women who have shared their story and to those who have not yet told anyone. You are the One Who will not quench the smoking flax - ignite Your flame in the hearts of all the wounded. Continue to teach all of us to walk in your grace, without fear, knowing how great is your love for us. Thank you that you know all things and that you are sovereign over all. Blessed be Your Holy Name.
Our gracious and merciful Father,
Thank you for sending your perfect Son to be the mediator between God and man. Thank you that He is a friend of sinners and that we can boldly approach the throne of grace and find mercy because of the finished work of Christ on the cross. Nothing in our hands we bring, simply to the cross we cling.
Thank you that Christ prays for us when we don't know what to pray, when the burden of our hearts is so great, He intercedes with groanings that cannot even be uttered.
We ask that you "restore the years that the locust have eaten" and that you bring "beauty from ashes". So many people have deep wounds and ugly scars from the abuse they suffered through their involvement with Bill Gothard and IBLP. If anyone understands wounds and scars, it's You, Jesus. You alone can bring true healing and comfort. You alone can mend what has been broken and restore life to that which is dead.
You love Mr. Gothard and see his deepest hurts and needs. Hurt people often hurt others. Enlighten his eyes O God, to your glory. May the "things of this earth grow strangely dim in the light of your glory and grace". Help him see that you are enough. Give him courage to face the reality of his sin and bring it before You in true repentance, allowing you to wash him clean. Help him to recognize his complete dependance upon you and receive the grace you freely offer.
You love each victim of abuse and each perpetrator of abuse. You fully identify with the suffering and pain of each person. Your love is so amazing and defies human understanding.
I lift up the families that are hurting right now, that feel as though their world is crashing down around them. The things they trusted in and counted upon have miserably failed and they are left with broken pieces and shattered dreams. Strengthen and comfort them. Help them to see that all they have ever needed is You and You will never fail them.
Bring revival across our land as more and more people discover the simplicity and beauty of the true gospel of grace and enter into a relationship with the One who made and loves them unconditionally.
Destroy the principalities and powers of darkness that aggressively seek to hinder and deceive your beloved children. Teach us Your ways and lead us in Your Truth and Light.
We thank you for your deliverance, healing and forgiveness. You are working ALL things together for the good of those who love you and are called according according to Your purpose. Help us to trust You, even when we cannot understand or see how You are working. Help us to rest in Your goodness and love. Speak Your peace to our stormy souls.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus, for the praise of His glory and grace,
Father, it is my prayer that you would do whatever it takes to bring the Truth in this situation. That all things would be laid open and that many would see Jesus Christ, and discard what is not of Him.
Thank you for thinking through the prayer suggestions today. It has been very helpful in keeping prayer focused throughout the day.
Father,
May the lowly, the downcast, the brokenhearted know that Jesus was cut off for their sake. That he endured his own Father's desertion so that they will never be deserted. Lord I pray that all involved in this will know that Jesus was raised up for their justification; that we are already vindicated in your eyes; that the law's thunderous accusations have been hushed. May we hear your song of delight over your children. May we believe we have your smile always and no matter our sin or evil that arises against us. May we have confidence that all who trust in Christ the Faithful One will hear 'well done good and faithful servant". Lord, I ask that the power of the gospel produces bold repentance and other-worldly forgiveness. Pour out the healing streams of your mercy even now on all hurting by our own sin and other's against us. Have mercy on us, sinners.
Lord:
We're asking big things but we're asking a Big God. Father, I'm especially burdened for all the collateral damage, and I pray that you would be a great encouragement to the many whose lives are on hold as these things get sorted out. I pray especially for the staff at IBLP, some of whom have commented on this site from time to time. I don't know all their names, but I pray especially for your great encouragement and grace to Robert Staddon. I pray for Alfred's son in the video department. I pray for the students who, despite the toxic environment, likely had good friends to say goodbye to as they were all sent home. I'm sure that this moment is testing them severely in many ways, but I pray that they would see you all the more clearly because of it.
I lift up to you Alfred, whose concerns on this site represent the concerns of many others who struggle to believe what seems unbelievable. Lift his heart to a greater hope. I lift up to you the Recovering Grace team, that they would be above-board and above reproach in all their dealings. I ask, Father, that unity would somehow come from all this... same concerns, same heart, same desire for you to be glorified.
Lastly, Lord, I pray for Bill. It burdens my heart to even try to step in his shoes right now. You know how, as a pastor, so much of my identity is wrongly wrapped up in my ministry role. I forget too often that I'm yours, secure, regardless of my function in the Kingdom. And as hard as that is for me, I can't imagine what it feels like to be separated from something I've done for 50 years. I pray, Lord, that Bill would find his identity in you, nothing else, during this time— that he would make a full unequivocal surrender... that the surrender would be born out of a deep repentance and realization of the patterns of woundedness he's created... that he would be willing to lose the whole world (the whole of his ministry) to gain his soul.
Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for your mercy and grace. For it is by Your mercies that we are not consumed every day! Father I want to bring Bill Gothard before You. You who intended something of this nature for good and not for evil must be so grieved. Father, please work deeply in his heart to bring him to a realization of his sin of abuse to such a large group of Your people, and to a place of complete and utter grief over this sin. May he humble himself in repentance. Give the board Your wisdom and grace. Open their eyes to truth, help them not to let pride of 'success' get in their way to be able to see erroneous teaching, a life of lies, and abuse of others. May they also see that a third, independent party will bring validity to the dealings. May it please You to dismantle this organization that has brought so much harm so that no other lies can be perpetuated and no other lives abused. Now I ask that through all this, because of the way it is handled - openly and with humility - that You will receive glory and honor even in this and that Your name will be raised and Your truth unleashed on a hurting, longing world. Thank You for the work of Recovering Grace and all those willing survivors who were so abused. May they too find such healing and help through this process and may they know Your love. Amen
I don't know if I believe in you any more, but I am thankful for the news of Mr. Gothard's resignation, and thankful for the work done here at RG. Many people here who follow you have shown far more grace and patience than I could. I hope that the end of this man's reign may finally allow some of us to find some peace and healing.
Father I pray for Bill. I intercede as a brother in Christ and I ask that you would have mercy on Him. Reveal to him the true identity of who he is in Christ... redeemed, restored, forgiven, and loved. Let him know that your presence is sweet and free. Let him come to know that you are pleased with him because you are pleased with Jesus. Father in the name of Jesus I ask that all bonds of religion be broken and that Bill's relationship with you would flourish. Father please write the last chapter in this mans life and let it be beautiful. Bring healing to his heart and let him know he does not need the company of women to satisfy his deepest longings. Reveal yourself to Bill in a healing way. May loneliness and depression not be his friends, comfort him with forgiveness and love. Bring him to full and true repentance, and protect him from the evil one. Father I join with all my brothers and sisters in here and cry out for your kingdom to come on this earth. Let it be on earth as it is in heaven. LET LOVE RULE. Let love win. Unite us as brothers and sisters at the cross. Heal the hurting and broken. May the healing presence of your spirit come mightily upon all infected with the disease of religion and let us find the cure in relationship wih you through Jesus. We ask for restoration on every person that has suffered from any form of belief other than the true gospel of Jesus Christ. And it's in Jesus awesome, powerful name I pray, Amen.
AMEN!
Father, we all sin in many ways, and so we all need Your cleansing and forgiveness, each and every day. May we all confess our sin each day to keep short accounts with You, and may we ever seek to live in harmony with Your children. Thank You for this day of prayer for Bill Gothard. I pray for You to do a work in his life, to bring about repentance and restoration. I pray for these who have spoken up, and for those who have not, but are struggling with emotional pain, and confusion over what Your holy Word teaches. I pray for grace, healing, forgiveness, and love to abound. I pray You would bind up those who are broken, that You would unburden those who are weighted down with guilt or sadness or misery or the burden of false teaching, and that You would shine the light of peace and joy and love into many souls. Thank you for Jesus, and that one day we will all meet together in heaven where we can enjoy You and each other forever and ever. In Jesus' name I pray. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Dear Lord,
I pray for everyone involved with this ministry right now as they are dealing shock, anger, and hurt. I especially lift these girls and their families up to you. I ask that the truth will come out in the open, and through all of this that YOUR will be done. Amen
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending the Son to shed His precious blood for my sins and for all others as well. I join my prayers with my brothers and sisters in You. Though we are strangers, we share the same goal: to see Your name glorified above all else.
I was not part of ATI or IBLP, and hadn't heard of Bill Gothard prior to seeing the Duggar family on TV. But I know that through that You lead me here, to Recovering Grace, to help me heal from my own wounds caused by legalism. You did this shortly after I asked You to truly show me who You are. And so I pray tonight, that other Christians living under the cloud of legalism will begin to seek You, to seek who You truly are, so they may be set free from the bondage they don't even realize they are living under.
I pray for healing and peace for those who were abused. Their pain is palpable, but You are the Great Physician. I pray for Mr. Gothard, that he comes to true repentance in You. I pray for the board members of IBLP to understand that they need not worry about protecting anyone's reputation as our lives are hidden in You. I pray these men will follow the Holy Spirit's urging to do what is right rather than what is convenient. I pray for those whose lives will be affected should You close down IBLP and ATI at this time. Help them to trust that You have far greater plans for their lives than they currently have in a false ministry. And I pray for the women and men of Recovering Grace, that you will help them stay encouraged as the enemy is sure to attack them. Keep their feet from slipping, Lord, surround them with Your comfort.
May You be glorified and honored, Lord. Praises be to You. I ask these things in the name of our King, Jesus.
Amen
Father, thank you for grace.
and thank You for how these prayers of Your children and my brothers and sisters so beautifully Your great grace in their lives!
i praise You for how You have allowed these grace-filled heart-cries to encourage me and remind me that there truly IS beauty to be found in the ashes...that You DO make beautiful things out of dust.
Dear Heavenly Father:
Praise you and thank you! I believe that you have heard every single one of our prayers and you have begun to turn things around, toward your holy and perfect will.
Thank you for the watchfulness of the brothers and sisters in the past and at the present, those of RG, many of us have been alerted and realized the dangers and the damages brought by the false teachings of Mr. Bill Gothard and his misconduct, after reading the posts of RG at a place half of a globe away from America.
I thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend one of Mr. Gothard's seminar series in the 80's and then bringing me back to my home country to grow in my church, and so I could feel to some extent the pain of the sisters and others caused by the deception and accusation. Father God, please continue to comfort and heal them, your precious ones.
Lord, if you did not allow, no one and nothing can harm us and you have said that all things work together for the good of those who love you and would follow you. Thank you for having justified us righteous when we are cleansed by the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ and put on Him and that we have been given an eternal life of abundance.
I pray that you continue to give wisdom and strength to RG members for fulfilling your good and perfect will.
For your glory, In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.