Prayer Request:
“Our son’s divorce has created family turmoil. Brothers, sisters and in-laws got involved. Now our family is divided over who is right/who is wrong…who’s to blame. I love all my children and grandchildren! Please pray that God will intervene in the family relationships, especially between our sons. Our family needs healing and reconciliation.”
My Response:
As I was putting my six-year-old grandson to bed he began to weep, “I want my dad. Why won’t you let him come here and live with us?” Dad had made choices that left the family homeless and the entire family was devastated. Lord, I cried, “Give me wisdom. How do I answer these grandchildren?”
Divorce is one of the hardest and most difficult situation that anyone can go through! We suffer with our children and grandchildren who are caught up in this living death. Everyone has to work through feelings of confusion, anger and grief. The children need grandparents, aunts, uncles to remain stable and give them loving reinforcement and support!! The husband and wife caught in this trap of the enemy needs to know the family is there for them regardless of their decisions. It is difficult to see your daughter or son and your grandchildren go through the agonies of divorce. We do not have to agree with their decisions, but we can be there to offer support and give them unconditional love.
This is not a time for brother to turn against brother, or sister against sister. This is an opportunity to practice forgiveness. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”(Ephesians 4:31-32) You may have to forgive many times in the same day!
Parents, I realize it is very tempting to try to “fix” those who are hurting and those who are angry with one another. I too have been there and often tried to “fix” it, only to discover that I could not do the work of the Holy Spirit. Our children are disciples taught of the LORD! God has given you the ministry of reconciliation, but only He can bring healing and restoration to our children and grandchildren. We have to allow them to walk their individual journey of healing and wholeness; we cannot walk it for them. Do not waste precious energy trying to think of ways you can change those who are involved. Let go and let God…easier said than done, but with the help of the Holy Spirit you can do just that. Your prayers will prepare you and your family members to walk the individual pathways of healing. Pray that their faith will not fail, and that when they have come through they will strengthen others…even one another.
The Prayers That Avail Much Family Books are filled with powerful prayers that will prepare your heart for life changes. Also these prayers will help you pray God’s will for all your family members. You can read our story in Prayers That Avail Much for Your Family.
Germaine