Prayer for families walking in alienation
By Chelsey Dematteis
Bible Reading:
“As an approved person, a worker who does not need to be embarrassed, do your best to present yourself to God, so that he will properly treat the true words.” -2 Timothy 2:15
Read or listen to the following:
Family alienation is a terrible reality. It is yet another prominent truth that shows us that it is not assumed in this way. When we think of our families, many of us would agree that wounds are inevitable, but family estrangement seems like it never happens.
A few months ago we received a call saying that addiction had resurfaced in our family’s lives. As soon as everyone jumped in on everything on the deck it became a complicated, dysfunctional and sad situation for everyone involved. A conflict arose, words were spoken, choices were made, and relationships were cut off again.
How could we become the light of Christ through all this? We cannot enable and tolerate irresponsible actions, but we want to show love. We don’t want anything other than to see this family fully restored, but we also realize that they must want healing for themselves.
When I searched the Bible, I have seen that sometimes the only way to love someone well is to share difficult truths that lead to life.
“As an approved person, a worker who does not need to be embarrassed, do your best to present yourself to God, so that he will properly treat the true words.” -2 Timothy 2:15
“When the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to all truth. He will not speak of his own authority, but whatever he hears what he says, he will declare that which will come to you.” – John 16:13
“There is no greater joy than hearing my children walk through the truth.” -3 John 1:4
“Let love be real. We hate evil. We hold on to the good.” – Romans 12:2
“Seek the Lord and His power, seek His presence constantly!” -1 Chronicle 16:11
“Send your light and your truth, and I will guide you to them, and bring me to them, and bring me to your holy hills and to your dwellings!” – Psalm 43:3
Each of these Bibles reveals how important it is to live the truth of our faith and share the truth with those around us. We use Bible guidance, as we always do, to get closer to this season. We want to show that we are guided to freedom and restoration by becoming light, leading us to love and saving our faith in Christ.
My prayer for you is that if you are dealing with the estrangement of your family, you will hand it over to Jesus. Whatever reasoning, money, mental health, addiction, divorce, or lifestyle, give that family to the only person who can change their minds and heal their hearts. The faster you release this person in Jesus’ hands, the more quickly you release the tension that arises from trying to reason as someone who doesn’t understand where you came from.
Let’s pray:
Father, thank you for your unshakable gift of love. I know that it was never your intention to tear your family apart for financial, mental health, addiction, divorce, or sinful lifestyle. Please help me as I navigate this difficult season. Help me abandon my family in my life when alienation took place. I pray that they will be fully restored in the name of Jesus. I pray that our family will return together and that our family will become a vivid testimony of your faithfulness. But Lord, if the outcome is not what I want, help me to trust you. Remember that their choices are not reflective of me, they reflect internal breakdowns. Give me the boldness to stand firm while sharing your truth. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Fizkes
Chelsea is the voice of my life, who lives a life of Christ in a world that is hardly podcasts and devoted to him for 52 weeks, who lives a life of Christ in a world that is centered around me. She writes Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and Devotions for Ibelieve.com. She also writes a Bible Reading Plan for the Youversion Bible app. Chelsea lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and her website chelseydematteis.com.
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