Welcome back to The Covenant Eyes Podcast. It's so good to have you joining us today. Today we have a very special guest joining us. We have Pastor Garrett Kell. He is the lead pastor at Del Ray Baptist Church in Virginia, and he served there since 2012. I believe he is also the author of an amazing book called Pure in Heart Sexual Sin and the Promises of God. And how Do I Fight Sin and Temptation? We are just so grateful to have Pastor Kell joining us today. Welcome back. Yeah, Karen, it's, great to to be back with you guys and thank you for your ministry and, Yeah. Hope you're doing well. Yeah. Thanks. Well, for those listeners that are not familiar with you, I know you've been on the podcast before, but would you mind sharing just a little bit of your story as, a pastor and the journey that you've been on? Sure. Yeah. I mean, I, I just consider myself a debtor to grace, became a Christian middle of my junior year of college through the witness of a friend. Came out of a very, Yeah, ungodly, background. And the Lord, in his mercy, sought me and saved me and has kept me. And I think it basically, as soon as I became a Christian, I realized that I have been using all of my influence to help people go to hell. And I said, yeah, the Holy Spirit helped me to to see the responsibility that I had to try and help people to follow Jesus and go to heaven and to know him. So ever since that I've been trying to do that imperfectly. And, yeah, for most of that time it's been in a, you know, formal ministry setting. But I tell our kids I'd be doing the same thing even if I wasn't a pastor in regards to helping people follow Jesus. And, but that's that's what I do. So I have one wife. Her name is Carrie. We have seven kids, and, Yeah, that's what I said. And, and, been a pastor for almost 25 years, and I've been here at Del Ray Baptist Church since since 2012. Awesome. Wow. Yeah. You're you're a busy man. That's, That's a lot. Oh my goodness. Well, we're grateful, and I think one of the the beautiful things is that for those of us who kind of had the before Christ experience, you know, it really compels us to want to help and, and really get the message of the gospel to people because we know what it's like to be lost and to be in darkness. So I'm just so grateful for your passion and for the work that you're doing. So talk to us a little bit about, you know, you certainly have written some really incredible books that are designed to help people who are struggling with sin specifically. You know, you've talked about in the past, you know, pornography being one of those sins that people wrestle with. So talk to us a little bit about the books that you've written and the way that you counsel Christians who are confronted with this sin. Sure. So, the, the primary work that put together, something called pure in heart, sexual sin in the Promises of God. It's basically a meditation

8. And I, wrote it for our church. I think there's a lot of good resources out there, but I didn't feel like I had a resource that I could give to brothers or sisters, people who are struggling with same sex attraction or. Or not, people who are older, young people who have experiences or not, whatever it may be. I wrote it for our church. So it's it's intended to be Christ glorifying. And the whole thing is Matthew five eight. Jesus says, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. And I think one of the challenges that we often find in conversations about sexual purity is that purity becomes an end in itself. You know, did I just get a clean Covenant Eyes report? Did I not given to this sinner that sin? And that kind of becomes the goal which the Scripture says very shortsighted. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. So purity is a means to the end of seeing and knowing and enjoying God. And that should always be our goal. So yeah, that's what put that book together. It's intended to, yeah, help our church. And in God's kindness, it seems to have been useful for for people outside of that. And then the little non Mark's booklet called, Fighting Sin and Temptation. How do I fight sin and temptation? It's like a 60 page, I want to say 60. They're like half pages. So it's super short, little resorts. It's intended to be just an introduction for somebody to start a conversation about what is sin, what is temptation, and how do I, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit in his promises, fight it? And how do I help others to do the same? So yeah, I want them to be accessible resources that are intended to help people to to follow Jesus until we see him face to face. That's awesome. Well, you know, a lot of our listeners, either struggle actively with trying to overcome the sin in pornography, or we even have a lot of spouses and leaders that listen to our podcast who, either are supporting someone going through this or maybe are, you know, feeling the pain of being married to someone that's struggling with pornography and how that damages the relationship and pain and suffering is certainly something that we're not immune to as Christians. So what advice do you have for people that are going through challenging seasons that just they feel too much, they just feel unbearable? Yeah. I think we want to remembering that suffering always pushes us. It's it's either going to push you away from God in hardening your heart against him as to why would you let this happen, or whatever it may be, or it's going to push you toward him in humility and hopefulness? And so I think you want to remember that when suffering is coming, whether it be because of your own sin or the sin of somebody else that is affecting you, that it's it has it has a purpose. Satan wants to use it to push you away. He wants he wants faith to fizzle and wants your heart to grow hard and to not trust God. Right? But but the Lord would intend to use it for good and intend to draw you to himself. And that's our prayer, is that we would, Yeah, that we would see it in that way. So, I think you want to just keep your eyes on him. Secondly, I would say you want to, surround yourself with people to help you. You need people who are going to weep with you. You need people who are going to tell you the truth. You need people who are going to pray with you and pray for you. We're not all strong at the same time. And I think realizing that is part of the beauty of the body of Christ, that he's given us one another to lock arms with each other, to help one another to to to look to Jesus and to lean into him. So, yeah, I would say in the midst of it, remember that God is still the goal. He wants us and that he's not being cruel. He only ever does good and that we can trust him. That's beautiful and well said. I think you brought up a really good point, too, about being surrounded by other Christians in the body of Christ, because oftentimes we when we're struggling, our natural kind of reaction is sometimes to be isolated, to pull back to for sure, to hide, you know, and so for those Christians out there listening who, you know, maybe are withdrawing instead of running to those people, what can what kind of advice do you have for them? Because it can feel kind of uncomfortable at times when we're struggling to reach out for help, but we desperately need it in those times. Yeah, sure. I think I think you're right on. You know, shame is such a powerful tool of the enemy. I mean, he he blackmails us all the time with all of the reasons that, you know, we're not worthy to be loved by God. All the reasons that if we we are honest with others that they won't love us. All of the reasons that, you know, we should be rejected and, you know, I think we have to we have to remember to listen to truth. And what God says is that we we aren't. Everybody's a debtor to grace. Everybody needs him. And I think this is what the beauty of the body of Christ is, that God has given us fellow sinners like we tell our church all the time, nobody, nobody, if you're looking for the right church, came to the wrong place because there's nobody here who has it all together, right? Nobody struts into the kingdom of God. We all come in with one boast and that that's that we need Jesus. So I think remember that God designed you to be able to, to only make it with the help of others. And Satan wants to isolate you. So I would just say your value is not in what other people think of you. Your value is what God thinks of you because there's no condemnation for those who are in Christ. He's clothed you with the righteousness of Christ. And and in that we can find confidence. And, you know, I think I think you don't want just do not believe. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people who are just riddled with guilt and shame that when they finally confess and they're honest and they begin trying to fight this by the the power of the Holy Spirit in honesty and in like, they find that they are loved and and in the strangest way, respect level goes up for somebody who's really trying and leaning in. And God uses that to to deepen relationships. And I just want you to know that, that the Lord, if you're struggling, that the Lord has people for you to walk with you. So make sure you're in a good, healthy church where the the you know, the gospel is not just talked about but lived out and and the Lord will help you. He promises to. That's beautiful. Yeah. And that is so true. One of the things at Covenant Eyes, is we're really focused on helping people live with integrity and, you know, walk with that integrity when they're online. So we often like to talk a little bit about that issue of the importance of having relationships and accountability partners with our activity, because the internet is the wild West, and it certainly is a place where we, you know, especially if we're struggling with temptation, can get ourselves into a lot of trouble. Can you talk a little bit about the importance of having accountable, whether it's using Covenant Eyes or just, you know, being a part of a men's or women's group where you just talk about the things that are going on, especially with your activities online, because I think a lot of people get in trouble online. Well, yeah. I mean, I think, you know, the internet, you know, has has a lot of good things. It also has a lot of a lot of dangers. And I think we should I think we should be really careful about how we engage with, you know, the internet, that just because it's there doesn't mean that we need to be on it all the time. You know? I mean, we live in a culture, that really woos us away from quiet, from, you know, just thinking and praying. And I think we need to think about it this way. And I will answer your question if I don't just come back to me. But I just think the reality of, you know, being online, like the world is designed to dull your spiritual sobriety, like that's what it's intended to do. I mean, when was the last time you watched a show? And then it went to a commercial break and it said, don't forget everything that you think, do and say will one day be brought before a holy God, and you'll give an account for everything. Have a nice day like that. Doesn't happen. No. Should it would, should that be. That'd be helpful. But that's. Yeah. Well and I think this is where Christians need to help one another to realize that being tethered to the internet all the time with whether it be games or alerts or social media or anything like that, it's not healthy. It's not it's not normal. It's not healthy, and it's not necessary. It feels necessary because the whole thing is designed that you're going to miss out on this news or this update on this friend, or this new trending thing, and it's creates this urgency toward fleeting things. And I think we just have to be really careful because especially when we're stressed or we're tired or we're hurting or disappointed or we're struggling, there's easily accessible escapes of the world that we run to for refreshment. And if we retreat to the world, we will learn to love the world, because we were we were created to love what we retreat to. That's what God throughout the Psalm says, I'm your refuge. Just what Jesus said, come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest like we are designed to love what refreshes us. So if we like, oh, I'm I'm tired. So I'm going to watch a show or I'm tired. I'm, you know, my brain. I'm just going to go and scroll or play this game or check out my Insta or whatever your thing is like. You've just got to know that's that pattern is not safe, especially if it's not done with with mature discipline of stepping away. This is why, like fasting. Not just from, I mean from from food, but also from social media being online, all these sorts of things is a it's neces sary like, if you're not, you're in trouble. Right. I need people to tell me that stuff. I need people to remind me. Because if I'm just going by myself, I'm just going to kind of go with the flow. But if you if you want to go to hell and I mean this, I don't mean to flippantly, but if you want to go to hell, all you have to do is what is natural. And this is why we need one another to remember. Oh no, no no, there there is. Christ. There is eternity. Every moment matters. So the reason accountability is so important is because it provides people around us to be able to speak into our lives, to say, hey, listen, I just want to tell you, praise the Lord for the growth I've seen in you. It's really encouraging. We need that, right? Because we don't always see it. Then we also need people to say, hey, listen, I love you, but I feel like I'm a little nervous. I just know that you're just always on your phone. What was the last time you took a break? Or, hey, you know, I got your covenant report and it said that there was some some disruption in the, you know, in the service or it says that, hey, these pictures came up. Let's let's just talk about it. What's what's going on? How can I pray for you? You know, and we just we need that because isolation again is is Satan's strategy, to to make us vulnerable. You don't have to watch, like, the Discovery Channel very long. And you just watch something that's away from the herd. That critter is going to get eaten up by something. And Satan does the same thing with us, except he moves us away with, you know, we're staring at our phone, and if we hear by ourself or, or shame or whatever else it may be. So, I'm not sure if that answers what you're looking for, but I think it's important thing to talk about. Absolutely. No, it's very good. I think, the interesting thing, too, is that, you know, the more that we use technology and we're on social media, it really tears us apart. Or away. I'm sorry. From the people in our lives, you know, I don't know how many times I've gone to, you know, restaurants or just going to the grocery store, and everybody's got their phone just, you know, in their face, and they're not talking with one another. And that's, I think, so unhealthy and, you know, dangerous as Christians because we need that relationship. We need to be connected to the people around us. I've seen some interesting trends, and maybe you've seen some of this too, but some of the young, Gen Zers, actually are kind of moving in a way where they are wanting to get back into church. I saw a couple of recent articles that was talking about the, Gen Z returning to church and wanting that community and to be connected and seeking that truth. And that is that is amazing. Like, praise God for that. Are you seeing that kind of movement to you that they're just kind of fed up? They're like, something's not right living online and doing this whole thing like, something's wrong here. Well, and I don't I'll share this not, and, I'm not trying to draw any attention to myself in this, but I recently got to speak at a conference called Cross Con, which is, a call for people to, you know, use their live for the mission and the glory of God among the nations. And we did a breakout session on, on sexual purity and, and the first night that they were there. So there's 15,000 people at the, at the thing the first night they had to turn thousands of people away. So they asked us to do it the next night, and they still turned away like tons of people just because the rooms were so full. And that has nothing to do with me. I think. What, because most people do know who I was, which makes sense. But like what it had to do with is you've got a generation that's been lied to for a long time. Yeah, they've been grown up on this, this lie that, hey, you know, pornography is is life giving. It's freedom. And you just indulge in the things that you see. Because we got to understand it's like pornography is satanic discipleship. And when you when you're following that path, it it does nothing but suck the life out of your soul. So I think you're right. I think there's a whole generation who, like this is not working. I'm seeing the way it's destroying my parents. I'm seeing the way it's destroying older siblings. I'm seeing the way that, like, I've tried it and it's so empty. There's not life there. Give me something that matters. Give me something that's real. Give me something that's true. And this is why I think you know, we do see a lot of a lot of young people coming to church looking for community. We see people like moving away from smartphones and all kinds of stuff. And I think there is where, again, some of the folks a little further down the road can learn from some of the the younger generation, again, that, you know, we we it's okay to do that, to buck the buck the norm and to say no, we're going to walk in a different way. I mean, might this be the generation where people are going to lobby and make pornography illegal? Might just be the generation that says, we're done with this and puts it to death. I mean, that can happen. We don't just have to assume it's going to keep going the way that it is. So I'm thankful for what I'm seeing among young people, and I pray that God will. Yeah. Give them give them courage and and strength and protection from the evil one as they lean in and and try and live a different way. You know, and it kind of creates a really big opportunity for, people that are older to disciple and walk alongside these young people as they come in because they're coming in rough and rugged. They've been lied to, like cultures really beat them up, you know, they don't they don't know, much about the Bible sometimes when they come in those doors. So what kind of opportunity does that, put before Christians who have been walking the walk for a while to disciple and to walk alongside young people? Well, and that's, that's a that's the thing. Right? You see, they're coming back to church. And in the church you have a diversity of generations and cultures and all the sorts of stuff. And we need one another. I know when I first became a Christian, I mean, at 21, I was sharing the gospel with anything that breathed and moved like I was on fire. I had a lot of zeal, but I did not have much wisdom, and I needed older Christians to come alongside me and say, listen, praise the Lord for what's happening in you. Let's think about this direction. Let's think about how do we read the scriptures to make sure that what we're saying is not just exciting spiritual talk, but it's actually rooted in Scripture because we're going to we want to help other people know truth about God, not just be riled up about ideas. Right. So I think there's a really unique opportunity, and this is where I see it. I don't, there's lots of different circles of churches in art and the kind of the, the group of churches that I most often fellowship with, there's there's a movement away from a lot of the age, age segregated stuff to where let's put gray hairs with the young, the young bucks, and let's, let's learn from one another and let's inspire one another. Right. Let's let's let the, the older sisters instruct some of the younger sisters and let's, let's help and let the younger sisters, like, inspire some older sisters to be like, yo, we got to talk. We got to talk to our neighbors or about Jesus. Right? Like, yeah, I think the Satan wants that to not happen, but the Lord delights in it. So I think there's a remarkable opportunity for discipling across generational lines. Right now, where wisdom and zeal can can become partners and friends in a way that I think, I think the Lord could use in in great ways to fuel everyone's faith and to make some, some real headway for the gospel. I love that that's really exciting. And I think that also brings up, you know, the the big dilemma that churches face, really, because a lot of these young people coming to the churches have a lot of questions about biblical sexuality because they're coming in with their mind filled with lies and corruption that's been fed to them for years. And a lot of our churches are not in a place where they're ready to fill the void and help them learn the truth. So what kind of encouragement do you have for pastors and leaders out there to really protect or, prepare, and to be ready to answer those questions and to be welcoming to those questions. Good question. I, I think we just want to encourage or remind pastors of which I'm one. So I need this is just as much for me. It is for any other pastor who's listening. But we need the right balance of clarity, courage and compassion. And that's what people people need that that's that's the I think that's the Christlike way. We need clarity. This is what the Bible says. Like it's just just teach the Bible. Don't. There's no creativity awards in heaven. Like just teach clearly what God's Word says. Do it courageously. There are passages that you might be tempted to jump over. Do not, because what you're doing, even if it's not related directly to sexuality, you're showing. You're showing the congregation how to be humble before all of God's Word. When you go through it that we're just we're going to receive what God says, we're going to submit to it, we're going to wrestle with it. We're going to say the things we don't know, but we're going to see good things belong to Lord, but the things we know, let's grab them and let's go. Right. And then we do it with compassion. We don't do it as like self-righteous guys who have it all together, but rather we're, hey, we're we're debtors to like, we need this grace. This sermon is just as much for me as this for anybody else. And I think that's sort of clear, courageous compassion in it. Proclamation of gospel truth is it's it's compelling to people. It's what we're created for. Right? So I think, pastors, we need to be ready. I mean, our statement of faith, we revised it about 3 or 4 years ago to include statements on, what marriage is on. You know what, what gender is and how it relates to biological sex. I mean, you know, 20 years ago we've been like, why are you putting that in your statement of faith? I think right now we want to do that from the get go to initiate conversations out of the gate of, hey, this is who we are, and we want to show you that, like, you can live boldly. The world is not going to love it, and you're going to get called every name in the book. But but biblical sexuality, it is the issue, the primary issue, practically speaking, in one sense, that the church has to lead out on in a culture that is going to call it everything else, because people will kill one another to have sex with whatever they want. And and that's just not life giving. But like, that's that's the reality that we're in. And I think this is where, you know, we can't look to legislature to fix that because because presidents will come and go. And whether there's presidents are pushing one agenda or another, the kingdom of God is not built up through presidents. And I you know, I think we just need to, I live outside Washington, DC, so this is just something we have to keep in. Keep in mind. But it's it's so important that the kingdom of God is built through the Word of God. And so we need to, regardless of what the tide is that's blowing, not do anything except preach the gospel and pour into the local church and build it. Because that's what the the gates of hell won't prevail against. So pastors, have courage. Don't be jerks for Jesus. Like that's not the answer. And I think you want to create an environment where no matter what somebody's struggling with, like they feel welcomed. So in one sense, the church should be the safest place to be a sinner. What I don't mean by that is that we're compromising and affirming everybody's sin, but rather it means that, hey, listen, if you're a sinner, there's only one house to go to. It's the house where Jesus is. So let's go and let's meet him. And so we want to try and paint that picture as often as possible there regardless, because everybody's sexually broken. It looks different for everybody, but everybody's sexually broken because of the fall. It just affects everybody. So in light of that, nobody should have this look down on. And also nobody should feel like they're so far gone or what they struggle with is so strange to God that he can't give help like the Lord. His spirit can give help. No matter where you are or what you've done or what you struggle with. He loves you and will help you. And I think a community that that wraps arms around you know, folks, whether they struggle with the same thing or something that looks a little different, Jesus is always the answer. And our sins, not the biggest problem, however, it's displaying itself. Our our sin generally is. And Jesus the Savior is always our hope. Absolutely. Oh my goodness, that's so good. Well, I'm going to kind of circle back to just kind of the topic of pornography because, last year, I don't know if you saw and I'm sure you did the the new Barna stats that kind of indicated an uptick in pornography use among Christians. And now women are struggling, at 44% of Christian women also are struggling with pornography. So, you know, pornography is definitely something that the church needs to boldly, address. And also, you know, equip and help people, address that. Do you have any recommendations on how a church could start serving the members in this way? Yeah, I think, number one, you want to pray. You want to pray that God would bring conviction to to people, who are struggling. His spirit can do that and will do that. So I think there's we want to be slow to think, well, the first answer is a program or do this or that. We can get to that in a second, but we really need to be a people who pray, because this sort of revival that we need is only going to come about by the Spirit of God moving upon the people of God by the grace of God. So we just need to pray that God would move and give us eyes to see things for what it is. This is one of the things deciding that I like about Covenant Eyes and what it does like it? It puts what you've looked at online before the eyes of an image bearer, and when it's like, hey, I saw this, what is that? And the shame, like the the fear, the whole, the whole thing that happens, it's actually really, really helpful because if, if before an image bearer, how much more before God himself. And I think it, it helps us to to have some sobriety that's there right. So we need to pray for spiritual sobriety because Satan is making us drunk on the world and may he help us. Second thing, I think the preaching has to be done in such a way that it's it's clear and it's, it's it's aimed at the sorts of things that people are struggling with. So I would just say, if your sermon every Sunday is about pornography, that's weird. But if you preach, if you preach for six months, if you preach for three months, and it's not like one of the applications, that's weird too. I mean, it should be part of the conversation, you know, that, you know, they and you can do it in a way that if you have mixed, you know, with generational stuff like the hate when you get online, there's good pictures and there's bad pictures, and we need to be very aware of that. And, you know, some of us are struggling in this area and, and I think as we're given the applications, this is something that's for brothers and sisters. So if your brother or sister and this is a this is a temptation for you or something you're ensnared in right now, we just want you to know the grace of God is ready to help you. So if you if you are feeling convicted or if you know you should be and you're not, plead with God to help you reach out to our elders. Or, if you're a sister, you can reach out to this. You know, we have an email address for sisters. Reach out to and begin counseling conversations. And like we you want to have avenues for people to be able to respond in a way that's, you know, hey, I need to come in and talk about this. So I think you want to normalize the reality that people in the congregation are struggling. And then outside of that, I think you want to be equipping your leaders to make normal discipling conversations include. So, let's talk about how you're doing with your time. How are you doing with money? How are you doing with what you're looking at online? What was the last time that you you saw something, that, you know, you shouldn't have? And what was your response to it? And how can I help you? And so those should be Norm, all sorts of conversations that Christians are having because time is fleeting. Jesus talks about hell, you know, money more than anything else and how, you know, like your credit card statement is a theological statement. And if you. Are true. If you don't open that up and show other Christians like, hey, this is how I spend my money. Yeah. Like, if we're embarrassed to do that because of what's there, like, that's just as dangerous as pornography is, right? I mean, so we want to think about that and then we need to be able to do that with our search histories. Like, look, that thing is there ain't deleted a thing. Like, let's talk about it. And so I just think that has to be part of the normal conversations, like cultural Christianity, where we just like show up, get our, you know, get our star and leave like, that doesn't help anybody. We need real like, intentionally intrusive, grace filled conversations about how are you doing, where we can encourage and challenge each other until we see his face. That's awesome. And I love that you brought up your staff and having staff ready to help and to be there. So is that something that you guys train like your, your leadership teams and your elders and women's group leaders and things like that? Do you train them in preparation for tough conversations about all sorts of topics? Because some churches do and some don't. And then, you know, if there's an issue, they don't know how to help. So I just was curious what you guys do specifically. Yeah. I mean, we're we're trying to we do it imperfectly. You know, our elders regularly have conversations about one another. So we model for one another how to ask those intentionally intrusive questions. And then we are teaching that same sorts of things that the people that we're meeting with. So all of our elders, meet with all of the, you know, the, leaders of the community groups, fellowship groups, small groups, whatever you want to call them. And they're modeling those same sorts of things for them. Same thing with sisters. So we have a couple sisters who are on staff who are really gifted with counseling conversations. And that's kind of part of the normal sort of one of the things that is brought up, you know, how are we doing in this area? And yeah, so we are I think one of the things is happening in our church right now is we've we're growing in a way that is requiring more, systems for this. So you can pray for us to have wisdom in that, because I think before it was easier for it to just be the normal culture. And everybody kind of did that. We were at that size of a church where, now I think we're having to think on a kind of a larger scale a little bit. I mean, it's not huge, but it's still it's more than we know how to handle right now. So Lord, help us get get some wisdom in how to do that. But we do. We are intentional with brothers and sisters in trying to invest and make sure that these are parts of the normal conversation. Yeah. That's great, I love that, and I think a lot of churches are moving in that direction to be prepared and to have stuff prepared for that. Yeah. And one thing I would just say and not to interrupt is if right now somebody was in your congregation and they wanted to confess, would they know how to do that between them and God? Would they know who they could go to in the congregation, even if they were kind of new? And is it clear how do you reach out to an elder pastor? Is there a sister that's either on staff or just a mature sister, that you've been able to, to point to? Is is it would people know how to do that? And if not, just think, okay, then how can we create some some avenue so we don't need to have some big elaborate thing because somebody can hear that and be like, oh, I can do this whole thing. No. Just some pathway to be able to sit down with a Christian and talk like that's all we're thinking about. So it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Just. But I do think it's necessary to provide some of those pathways for sheep to walk on so they know how to, to get to some of those green pastures. That's excellent wisdom. Well, thank you so much. Well, our time today is actually coming to a close, but I would love to close out today with, some prayer for those who are listening, who may be facing some challenges, whether it's, you know, pornography use or maybe their spouse and they're just praying for that break through for their, their partner. So could you offer as just a closing prayer for today's episode for the listeners? Sure. Awesome. Father in heaven. You know, what each of us are facing. So, Lord, I pray for any might be the listener right now who are ensnared in, in pornography or some sort of sexual sin. And they just we're looking for something to try and give some help and some hope. And they've listened this far. Lord, would you remind them that even even them hearing this prayer is you mercifully extending grace to them, that they might know that you see them and love them, and have help and hope for them? And Lord, would you help them to step into the light no matter what it costs? And would you show them that it's worth it because you give yourself? Father, I pray for spouses who might be listening in, who are looking for and pleading with you for some way to help their spouse who is ensnared. Oh Lord, would you give would you give help? Would you give wisdom to that suffering spouse about how to talk to their spouse? How to talk to their pastors, about the stuff that's going on? Lori, pray for for help. Lord, pray for for pastors who might be listening. Oh Lord, would you help us to be clear and courageous and compassionate? And would you help us to not be above the congregation in some kind of condescending way? But we would be humble servants who know that we need grace. And Lord, might you might you help us. And Lord, pray for the church at large. We pray for the young and the old, to alike, love one another. Together we pray that there would be inspiration of both zeal and wisdom. And we pray that you would. Yeah, yeah, he would change our land through the church. We do pray for, YouTube. Yeah. In this plague of pornography, we pray it become illegal. And, Lord, you can do anything. Lord, our hope is in you. But we do pray you change our hearts and that you would hurry the Lord Jesus to return. We pray in his name. Amen. Amen. Awesome. Well, thank you, Pastor Kell, for joining us today. You brought wisdom and so much passion and knowledge and care for your people. I just love talking to you. Thank you so much for the conversation today. And my joy sister. Have a great one. Well, thanks for listeners for tuning in to this episode. We'll see you next time on The Covenant Eyes Podcast. Take care. God bless.