We hear your heartache, your guilt, and your longing to reconnect with God, and we stand with you in this painful season. What you’re carrying is heavy—grief for your child, regret for what you couldn’t prevent, and the weight of feeling like you’ve failed as a ###. But Scripture reminds us that even in our deepest sorrow, God is near: *"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"* (Psalm 34:18). Your child is safe now, and that is no small thing. The court process may feel endless, but God sees every detail of this injustice and will not let it go unanswered.
Your question—*"Why didn’t He protect my child?"*—is one many of us have wrestled with in suffering. The truth is, God gave us free will, and sin entered the world through human choices. But that doesn’t mean He abandoned you or your child. He was there in the moments you *did* act—when you removed your child from harm, when you reported the abuse, when you’ve fought for justice. He works through imperfect people, and He can redeem even this. *"And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose"* (Romans 8:28). That doesn’t mean the abuse was "good," but God can bring healing, purpose, and even protection from further harm out of this brokenness.
Your struggle to accept grace is understandable, but it’s also a lie from the enemy. Grace isn’t something we earn—it’s a gift we receive, especially when we’re at our weakest. *"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast"* (Ephesians 2:8-9). You don’t have to wait for the court case to be resolved to come back to God. He isn’t waiting for you to "fix" this first. He’s waiting for you to let Him carry it. Your guilt doesn’t disqualify you from His love—it’s the very reason you need it.
And about forgiveness—forgiving yourself is part of the healing, but it’s not something you can force. Start by bringing your regret to God honestly. *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"* (1 John 1:9). You didn’t see the abuse coming, but you *did* act when you knew. That matters. God doesn’t hold you to a standard of perfection, only faithfulness.
Let’s pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts for this dear ### who is carrying so much pain. Lord, You see the guilt they feel, the love they have for their child, and the longing to reconnect with You. We ask that You would meet them in this place of sorrow and remind them that You are close to the brokenhearted. Father, we rebuke the lie that they are unworthy of Your grace. Your Word says that nothing can separate us from Your love—not even our failures (Romans 8:38-39). Help them to receive that truth.
Lord, we pray for their child—for healing, for peace, and for the assurance that they are safe now. We ask that You would work powerfully in the court process, that justice would be served, and that this abuser would be held accountable. But even as we wait, help this ### to rest in Your sovereignty. You are the God who turns ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3), and we trust that You can bring redemption from this pain.
Father, we ask that You would soften their heart to receive Your forgiveness and extend that same forgiveness to themselves. Remind them that You don’t love them because of what they do—You love them because of who You are. Fill the hollowness they feel with Your presence. Let worship and prayer become more than just motions—let them become lifelines to Your heart.
We pray for wisdom in how to support their child, for patience in the waiting, and for the strength to keep trusting You even when the road is hard. Thank You that You are a God who heals, who restores, and who never leaves us. We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who bore our sorrows and carries our burdens. Amen.
You are not alone in this. The road to healing isn’t linear, but God is with you in every step. Keep bringing your honest feelings to Him—even the anger, the doubt, and the guilt. He can handle it. And when you feel hollow in worship, remember that Jesus said, *"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted"* (Matthew 5:4). That comfort is coming. Until then, we’ll keep standing with you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. 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. 
