I am now in my 60s and it has taken me a long time to learn the truth about abusive people and how to be free of the harm they cause. My purpose in writing this is to share the truth of what God’s Word says about these people, so you do not have to tolerate harmful, abusive relationships, whether they be emotional or physical abuse or both.

 

I grew up in a church environment and was under the control of a foster mother for almost 30 years. She regularly tried to make me feel guilty and many times used Bible verses to do it. She was always involved in church, in Christian schools, and a Christian university in leadership positions. Outwardly, this woman appeared to be an amazing person with degrees, awards, and an outgoing charismatic personality. I knew in that environment no one would have believed that the person I was living with was a totally different person.

I was also raised in this environment and regularly heard teaching that did not match what the Bible really said. After leaving the church world, I started to study the Bible on my own and read many verses that I had never learned in church – in fact, I had learned the opposite in church. I am now free from all of the guilt of keeping her happy and the guilt of the church world.

 

The name Pray and Watch comes from Colossians 4:2. "Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving." Pray and watch, thanking God that HE will provide a way for you to escape.