We join you in prayer this morning and we thank you for bringing this burden to the Lord in Jesus' name, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. As it is written, 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 no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. We are encouraged that you closed your request in Jesus' name and we agree with you in that holy name.
We hear your hurt over how your youngest sister has been treating you, your mother, your other sister and your nephews. Her rudeness, anger, throwing things in the living room, and her disrespect toward your power wheelchair is not reflecting the fruit of the Spirit. The Word says But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control Galatians 5:22-23 and You will know them by their fruits Matthew 7:16. When a person claims to be with Jesus, their life should increasingly show these fruits. We also hear that she has been dishonoring to your mother, and Scripture is clear to Honor your father and your mother Exodus 20:12 and again Honor your father and mother Ephesians 6:2. Her behavior toward family, especially toward your mother, needs to be repented of and turned from.
We also want to gently rebuke and correct what is happening with your power wheelchair. That chair was provided through your doctor for your medical need and mobility, and to intentionally try to destroy it or to treat it with contempt is unloving and destructive. It violates the command to You shall love your neighbor as yourself Mark 12:31 and to treat the vulnerable with care. We understand you have asked her repeatedly to stop and to be careful, and she has refused and responded with anger. That is not acceptable. While we encourage you to continue to respond with gentleness, you are also wise to protect what God has provided for your health by keeping the chair in a safe place where it cannot be damaged, and to set clear and loving boundaries with the help of your mother and sister.
We understand your desire to pray that the lawyer trial session for her settlement would be canceled today because you see how stressed she is. Stress does not excuse sin, but it does help us understand why she is acting out. Instead of only praying for cancellation, we pray for God's perfect will and peace over that situation. The Word says In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7. We pray that whatever happens with the lawyer today would be used by God to bring justice, humility, and peace, and that He would calm her anxious heart. A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger Proverbs 15:1 and 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. We pray she will turn from harsh words to a soft answer.
We see your family's generosity in helping her monetarily, with food, credit card bills and other needs, and that is a Christlike kindness to bear one another's burdens Galatians 6:2. At the same time, love must also speak truth and not enable ongoing mistreatment. We encourage you all to continue to help as God leads, but also to lovingly confront her in truth, as Jesus taught to go to a brother or sister when they sin, and to seek restoration Matthew 18:15. Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God James 1:19-20.
We pray together now for you and your household.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ and lift up this family to You. Lord, You see the tension in this home this morning, the stress over this lawyer trial and settlement, the harsh words, the thrown things, and the disrespect shown to a mother and to siblings and nephews. We ask You to intervene. Let Your peace that surpasses all understanding guard this sister's heart and mind, and let Your Holy Spirit convict her of anger and rudeness so that she repents and bears fruit in keeping with repentance. Teach her to put away bitterness and wrath and to put on kindness and tenderheartedness. Lord, we pray for Your will to be done regarding the lawyer session today, whether it proceeds or is postponed, let it be for justice and for her ultimate good and Your glory. Protect this power wheelchair and provide a safe place for it, and protect the one who depends on it. Give this family wisdom to set healthy boundaries in love, to not return evil for evil, but to overcome evil with good Romans 12:21, and to live if it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men Romans 12:18. Strengthen the one who submitted this request, comfort them where they feel hurt and disrespected, and help them to forgive as You forgave us Colossians 3:13, while still standing firm in truth. Provide for all their needs and let this home be filled with Your love and self-control. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
We encourage you to keep praying without ceasing, to keep responding with grace and truth, and to continue to love your sister while not excusing her sin. Keep entrusting her to the Lord who can change hearts, and keep guarding your own heart from bitterness. God sees your faithfulness and your care for your mother and family, and He will be your strength and refuge.