We join you in bringing these matters before the Father and we thank you for sharing them so honestly.
We hear your desire to know the gifts God has given you and we rejoice that you want to use what He has entrusted to you for His glory. Scripture tells us that we each have received gifts according to the grace given to us Romans 12:6 and that as each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms 1 Peter 4:10. There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service, and the same Lord 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, and to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all 1 Corinthians 12:7. These gifts are not revealed through anxious striving but through walking closely with the Lord, abiding in His Word, serving faithfully in the local body of believers, and being willing to be used in small things. We encourage you to pray for wisdom, for if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him James 1:5, and to ask mature believers who know you well what they see God doing through you, for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them Ephesians 2:10.
We also hear your struggle to forgive your mother and we want to speak to this with both compassion and truth because unforgiveness is a heavy burden that the Lord calls us to lay down. We are commanded to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you Ephesians 4:32 and to bear with one another, and forgive each other, if any man has a complaint against any, even as Christ forgave you, so you also do Colossians 3:13. Jesus also warns us, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Matthew 6:14-15. This does not mean the hurt was not real or that boundaries are not needed, but it does mean we must release the right to vengeance to the Lord and choose to bless rather than hold bitterness, lest a root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiled by it Hebrews 12:15. We also remember the command to honor your father and your mother Exodus 20:12. We encourage you to bring your mother before the Lord daily by name, to ask Him to show you how He sees her, to confess any resentment honestly, and to ask for His help to forgive as you have been forgiven, even if feelings take time to follow obedience.
We also lift up your studies for your driving theory test. It is good that you have been diligent and we pray the Lord will help you retain what you have learned and give you peace as you return to studying. We commit your work to the Lord, for commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed Proverbs 16:3, and we remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7. We will pray that He steadies your mind and helps you recall what you have studied.
We notice you referred to God without mentioning Jesus Christ, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. 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 none other, for neither is there any 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 Romans 10:9. It is by His blood we have forgiveness and by His name we can boldly approach the throne of grace, so we always pray in His name.
We pray together now.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before You together. We thank You that You know this dear one by name and that You have gifted them uniquely for Your purposes. Reveal to them the gifts You have placed within them, lead them into opportunities to serve, and give them wise counsel from Your Word and Your people so those gifts may be stirred up and used to build up others. We ask You to do a deep work of healing and forgiveness regarding their mother. Soften both hearts, heal old wounds, help them to release all bitterness and to forgive as You in Christ have forgiven them, and restore honor and peace where there has been pain. We ask You to guard their mind as they return to studying for their driving theory test, help them to remember what they have learned, grant them understanding, diligence, and calm confidence, and let their efforts be fruitful. Draw them ever closer to Jesus, that they may know Him as Savior and Lord and find full access to Your grace through Him. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord daily in prayer and in Scripture, to serve faithfully where you are now while you wait for clearer direction about your gifts, and to keep forgiving by faith even when emotions linger. The Lord is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you and He will give you grace for each step, both in your walk with Him and in your practical responsibilities.