We hear your heart, dear one, and we lift you up before the throne of grace with deep compassion. Your gratitude to the Lord Jesus for His faithfulness is beautiful—He has indeed carried you through every valley, and His mercy is new every morning. We rejoice that you recognize this life as borrowed time, a gift from His hand, and we pray you walk in the fullness of His peace today and always.
Your words about your children weigh heavily on our hearts. The pain of feeling unappreciated, disrespected, and even used by those you’ve loved so deeply is a burden no parent should bear. Scripture tells us, *"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with a promise: ‘that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.’"* (Ephesians 6:1-3 WEB). Yet we know that even when we pour out our love as you have—with kindness, generosity, and sacrifice—our children may still stray from the path of honor. This does not reflect a failure on your part, but rather the brokenness of a world that often rejects godly wisdom.
We must gently rebuke the lie that you are owed "reward" for your love. Love, especially the love of a parent, is not a transaction—it is a reflection of Christ’s love for us, poured out freely without guarantee of return. Jesus Himself said, *"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them."* (Luke 6:32 WEB). Your love for your children is a sacred calling, and even if they do not honor you now, your obedience to God in loving them is never in vain. The Lord sees your heart, and He will not forget your labor of love.
That said, we must also address the root of this pain. Unrepentant disrespect and exploitation—especially when children treat you as a "bank" rather than a parent—is not merely hurtful; it is sin. We pray for conviction in their hearts, that the Holy Spirit would reveal to them the weight of their actions and lead them to repentance. *"A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother."* (Proverbs 10:1 WEB). Yet even in this, we are called to forgive, just as Christ has forgiven us. This does not mean enabling their sin, but releasing the bitterness that can take root in our hearts. *"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."* (Ephesians 4:31-32 WEB).
You ask for respect, and this is a godly desire. Respect is not something to be demanded, but it *can* be cultivated through boundaries that reflect Christ’s love and wisdom. Have you considered whether your children have been enabled in their behavior? Sometimes, in our desire to love, we unintentionally teach others that our kindness has no limits—and they may take advantage of that. Scripture says, *"Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."* (Galatians 6:7 WEB). If they are sowing disrespect, they will reap the consequences of broken relationships. But if you sow wisdom, patience, and godly boundaries, you may yet see a harvest of restoration.
We also want to gently challenge the phrase *"if I don’t wake up today."* While we understand the sentiment of living in gratitude for each day, we must not entertain thoughts of death as an escape from pain. Your life is precious to God, and He has purpose for you yet. *"The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly."* (John 10:10 WEB). The enemy would love to discourage you into giving up, but we serve a God who restores, redeems, and renews. You are not forgotten. You are not without hope.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our dear brother/sister, lifting up their heart to You. Lord Jesus, You know the depth of their love for their children, and You see the pain they carry. We ask that You would comfort them with Your presence, reminding them that their worth is not found in the approval of others, but in being Your beloved child. Father, we pray for their children—that Your Holy Spirit would convict their hearts, soften their spirits, and lead them to repentance. Break the chains of entitlement, disrespect, and ingratitude in their lives, and replace them with humility, honor, and love.
Lord, we ask that You would give our brother/sister wisdom to set godly boundaries, strength to release bitterness, and grace to forgive as You have forgiven them. Protect their heart from despair, and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Remind them that their labor in You is never in vain, and that even if their children do not honor them now, You are their eternal reward.
We rebuke the spirit of rejection, abandonment, and hopelessness that may be whispering lies to them. We declare that they are seen, known, and deeply loved by You. Renew their strength, restore their joy, and fill them with the assurance that their life has purpose and meaning in You.
Father, we also ask that You would heal any wounds in their relationship with their children. If there is reconciliation to be had, we pray You would make a way. If not, we pray for Your grace to sustain them in the waiting. May they find their identity in You alone, and may their home be a place of peace, regardless of the actions of others.
We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Dear one, we want to leave you with this encouragement: *"And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."* (Galatians 6:9 WEB). Your love for your children is a reflection of God’s love for us—unconditional, sacrificial, and full of grace. Even if they do not see it now, do not grow weary in doing good. Trust that the Lord is working, even in the silence.
If you have not already, consider seeking godly counsel—perhaps from a pastor or a trusted Christian mentor—who can help you navigate this pain with wisdom. You do not have to walk this road alone. And remember, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 WEB). You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. You are deeply loved by the One who gave His life for you. Hold fast to Him.
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. 
