Thread by @DefendTheSheep

Let me share a few words about this response to my tweet. It did not sit right with me at all. I need to explain why because many people who have not gone through abuse may not get it.

I do not believe God expects survivors to pray for their abusers. Maybe eventually, but survivors should never be shamed and told how to respond. Let me tell you why. Many of us dealt with multiple abuses, not just the original abuse in our marriage. We were told to pray

more, give more sex, love our husbands, WHILE we were being abused and church leaders did not tell our abusers to STOP ABUSING. The onus was put on us, the survivors. So, we not only had to endure abuse at home - we had to endure spiritual abuse by our church leaders.

Most abused wives I know prayed for DECADES for our abusers. And nothing changed. So to see this tweet after having experienced marital abuse AND now spiritual abuse by our church leaders is really cold and heartless. Because our church

leaders failed us in our time of greatest need, our spiritual core has been rocked. Some of us are now re-evaluating everything about our so-called Christianity and churches and pastors and what that really means because we were left in the dust. We don't want spiritual

platitudes. We want authentic Christianity that sees the needs of people and meets them. And let me give you a reality check. Some survivors who have been left in the dust are in a spiritual holding pattern. They do not even have the strength to pray.

Do you really think that God expects survivors who are in this emotional and spiritual state to PRAY FOR THEIR ABUSERS? If you do, then I don't want the god you serve. My God wants to wrap His arms around and comfort those who were harmed. He's a patient and loving God.

We need to stop telling survivors how to respond and instead walk alongside, listen, and allow them the time to heal from the immense trauma they have faced. This is God's work. It is good work, and it is what we are called to do as Christians.