We join you in bringing these family and daily pressures before the Lord, and we understand how wearing it can be to be woken early, to have basic needs like using the washroom or eating feel rushed or overlooked, and to carry the extra responsibility of helping with teaching and preparing for travel while also waiting on a computer repair. We hear your concern for your dad and for your own health, your desire for peace in the home, and your need for time and order as you prepare to go out of town.
We want to gently encourage you in how we speak about our parents even when we feel frustrated. God calls us to honor our father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth, Exod 20:12, Eph 6:2. That does not mean we ignore difficult behavior, but we are called to let no corrupt speech proceed out of our mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear, Eph 4:29. When we feel disrespected or hurried, love still calls us to be patient and kind, not to behave rudely, 1 Cor 13:4-5, and to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave us, Eph 4:32. We also bear with one another and forgive any complaint we have against another, even as Christ forgave us, Col 3:13. We pray that God will help both you and your mum to grow in this mutual respect and gracious communication, and that you can lovingly share your needs for rest, for time to eat, and for a moment to use the washroom, using speech always with grace, seasoned with salt, Col 4:6.
We also notice your request does not mention Jesus Christ, and we want to share why we pray in His name. It is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father, for Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me, John 14:6, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men by which we must be saved, Acts 4:12. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved, Rom 10:9. It is by trusting in Jesus that we can bring every small and large burden to God with confidence.
We are concerned for the physical strain you mentioned and the loss of rest from early mornings when a student does not appear. God cares for our bodies and our need for rest. Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest, Matt 11:28. We also remember that we are to cast all our worries on him because he cares for us, 1 Pet 5:7, and to not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:6-7. We encourage you to redeem the time wisely, Eph 5:16, perhaps by gently setting a clear schedule with your mum about when you are available to help and when you need to attend to rest, meals, and personal needs, and to commit your travel and the timing of the computer return to the Lord, who will keep your going out and your coming in, Psalm 121:8.
We pray together with you now.
Father in heaven, we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, thanking you that you see every detail of this home and every need. We ask for your peace to rest upon this family. Lord, soften hearts where there has been impatience or harsh words, and teach us all to speak and act with patience, kindness, and respect. Help this dear one and his dad to be able to care for their health without fear or shame, and protect their bodies from harm. Give them wisdom to communicate lovingly about needs for rest, food, and time, and give his mum grace to listen and to honor those needs. We ask for your help with the early mornings and the disappointments when students do not show, and we ask for strength and good sleep in the days ahead. Provide time and order for all that must be done before traveling, calm any tension about the trip, and let the day of travel be peaceful and respectful for everyone. We place the computer repair in your hands, guide its return at the right time and to the right place, and remove anxiety about it. Above all, draw each person in this home closer to Jesus, that they may know your forgiveness and walk in your ways. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and our peace, amen.
We encourage you to continue to seek Him, to speak the truth in love within your family, and to trust that He will provide the time, health, and peace you need as you prepare to go out of town.