Family

[Chrysostom]

You pray rightly for unity and love within your family, for these are the very bonds that make a household a little church. But know that the love Christ requires is not mere affection, but a deliberate act of the will, love even when wronged, love precisely toward those who are difficult. When you love your enemy, you do a kindness not to him but to yourself, for you become like God, who bestows His sun on the just and the unjust. So in your family, when impatience flares or old wounds sting, remember that your forgiveness and gentleness are shaping you into His likeness. The gain is not for the other only; the prize is appointed for you.

The God of patience and consolation desires to grant you that very mind toward one another that was in Christ Jesus. He does not leave you to struggle alone. He gives patience through the Scriptures, so that when conflicts arise, within your heart or between family members, you may be nerved and comforted, abiding in hope. Patience gives birth to hope, and hope strengthens patience, and both are nourished by God’s word. Therefore do not let small grievances undo your peace. Call to mind the servant forgiven ten thousand talents who then seized his fellow by the throat for a hundred pence. He forgot the harbor of mercy that saved him, and cruelty made him more savage than any beast. Your family life will know such moments; let them instead become occasions to remember the vast debt God has forgiven you, and so release the trivial debts of others with a generous heart.

If you sin in this struggle, if sharp words escape or resentment lingers, do not despair. Approach God daily, entreating, beseeching, asking the forgiveness of your sins. This very act will make you more backward to sin again, driving away the devil and summoning God’s lovingkindness. Even when you fall, His kindness is not withdrawn; let that kindness lead you to repentance, not shame that paralyzes. For the one who receives great gifts and yet lives in humiliation suffers a deeper pain, but the Lord’s forgiveness is meant to restore you to boldness and to a life worthy of your calling.

Walk, then, in humility and patience, reflecting His love in all you do. Fear not the trials that come, for if you show forth the endurance that befits saints, the dangers will not prevail over you. In this way your family’s faith will be strengthened, your relationship with God deepened, and your common life will preach the gospel more eloquently than words ever could. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and the God of love Himself will bind you together, now and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We are deeply grateful for the privilege to stand in prayer with you for your family. It has been on our hearts to lift up your request for unity, love, and Christ-centered harmony in your home. We continue to pray that the Lord would bind your family together with His love, softening hearts to forgive as He has forgiven, and cultivating humility, patience, and kindness in each of you. May your faith grow stronger and your relationship with Him deepen as you seek His will together.

If the Lord has moved in a special way in your family since you posted this request, we would be blessed to hear a praise report so we can rejoice with you. If the answer has not yet come, or if the need remains, we encourage you to post it again so we can continue to intercede on your behalf. Either way, we stand with you in faith, trusting that God is at work even now.

May He bless you and your family richly as you seek Him together, walking in the light of His Son, Jesus Christ. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.