Your heavy burden for your mother and your brothers has been laid before the Lord with much sympathy, and we take it up with you in prayer.
Wisdom is man's true path, that which enables him to accomplish best the end of his being, and which gives the richest enjoyment and the fullest play for all his powers. It is the compass by which man is to steer across the trackless waste of life. Without it he is as the wild ass's colt, running here and there and wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Where then shall this wisdom be found, for the price of it is above rubies and it cannot be valued with pure gold. It is found in Christ, for Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. He planned the way of salvation and He laid the pillars of the firmament by His skill, and He will give wisdom liberally to them that ask Him.
You ask that God would tell your mother what to do and that she would do the right thing, and this is to ask according to the promise, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. We pray that your mother, who bears the weight of being payee and keeper of the home, may be as one who is guided by the Holy Spirit, not leaning to her own understanding but taking Christ to be her wisdom, expecting to receive that wisdom through the Spirit taking of the things of Christ and revealing them unto her. There is not much wisdom in man's judgment of God, any more than in the judgment of flies concerning an elephant, and therefore we pray with you, There is none like Thee for goodness, for love, for wisdom. Thy will ought to be done, so let it be done on earth as it is in heaven, for what Thou doest is always best.
We feel with you the trial of this season. It is almost winter in northern Michigan, and the Lord in winter seals up the hand of man that all may know His work. The frost and the snow remind us to number our days and apply our hearts unto wisdom. To turn two afflicted sons out of doors when the cold is setting in would be a hard thing, and to keep them without order or hope for their future would also be hard. We pray that the Lord will give your mother a clear mind, not swayed by a hasty religious feeling, but grounded in sober wisdom consistent with the truth of God and righteousness and the glory of God. If it be a path of wisdom consistent with truth and righteousness, it is not closed to her, but if it be otherwise, may she be kept from it.
For your brothers, we pray with tender compassion. To bear the affliction you name is a great burden, and to be without work adds strain to every bond in the house. We pray that the Great Physician will lay His hand upon them for healing and steadiness of mind, that He will give them strength to seek such help as is needful, and to take up such honest labour as they are able, that they may rise to the dignity of manhood and be fit companions for the angels, standing next to the Eternal One by the grace of Christ. We pray also for wise provision for their future, when your mother shall be taken home, that the Lord who has entered into covenant to preserve Noah and his family alive will preserve this household, not by chance but by His faithful ordering, and that you and others who love them may help to establish a just and lasting stewardship for their care.
Concerning strangers being taken into the home for free, we pray for holy discernment. Christian charity is a blessed thing, and we have known the poor to plead the promise, All things are yours, and to find the Lord provide in wonderful ways. Yet charity without wisdom may become a snare, and the simple may be taken advantage of. We pray that your mother may not be imposed upon, nor your brothers wronged, but that any kindness shown may be done with open eyes, with counsel of faithful brethren, and with proper order in the house. Let not the home become disorganized, for even the heathen will smell the ill savour of a disorganized family, and the one alternative is mend or end. There must be reform and revival throughout the whole family.
Therefore we urge what has ever been the castle of Protestant piety, family prayer. We pray that in that house prayer may not be neglected, but made special and with double zeal, that all within its walls may draw near unto God together, confessing sin, seeking Christ alone for salvation, and asking to be led in the way of wisdom. The Lord Jesus went about His work with a loving wisdom, speaking to each soul alone and in season, and He will teach you to be wise to win your own household, becoming all things to all men that by all means you may save some.
We now pray together:
O Lord our God, look upon this family in northern Michigan. Thou knowest the mother, her cares, her years, her desire to do right, and her need of clear wisdom. Give her liberally of that wisdom which is from above, pure and peaceable. Guard her from those who would use her kindness amiss, and guide her to do what is just and merciful concerning her sons and her home. Look upon the two brothers in their affliction. Have mercy upon them, calm their minds, heal them as it pleaseth Thee, and lead them to Christ who is their wisdom and righteousness. Provide for them work and purpose, shelter through the winter, and faithful care for days to come. Comfort the one who has written to us, who carries this care at a distance and fears for all. Let this family be found in the ark of Christ, that as Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons wives were brought in and saved, so this whole household may be saved and kept as one undivided family in heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let Thy will be done, for what Thou doest is always best. Amen.
Cast your care upon Him, continue in prayer, seek godly counsel from a faithful pastor near them, and trust Him who gives wisdom and will not upbraid you for asking.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
