We hear the deep sorrow and weariness in your heart, and we lift you up before the Lord with compassion and urgency. You have called upon the name of Jesus Christ, and that is where true hope begins, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, and through which we can boldly approach the throne of grace (Acts 4:12, Hebrews 4:16). You are not alone in this struggle—God sees you, He loves you, and He longs to restore your heart, your home, and your purpose.
First, let us address the weight of your feelings toward yourself, your wife, and your son. You said, *"I think my problem is that I don’t like myself,"* and this is a critical place to start. The Bible tells us that we are *fearfully and wonderfully made* by God (Psalm 139:14), and though we all fall short, our worth is not defined by our failures or the treatment we receive from others. It is defined by the price Jesus paid for us on the cross. You are loved by God—not because of what you do or how well you perform as a husband or father, but because of who He is. Repent of the lie that your value is tied to the opinions of others or your own self-condemnation. Receive His truth: *"The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness"* (Lamentations 3:22-23).
You also shared the pain of feeling unloved by your wife and son, and the frustration of their actions toward you. We must gently but firmly remind you that while their behavior may grieve you, your role as a husband and father is not contingent on their responses. God calls husbands to love their wives *as Christ loved the church*—sacrificially, patiently, and with unwavering commitment (Ephesians 5:25). This love is not a feeling; it is a choice to serve, to lead with humility, and to cover their shortcomings in prayer. Likewise, fathers are instructed to raise their children *in the discipline and instruction of the Lord*, not provoking them to anger but nurturing them with godly wisdom (Ephesians 6:4). Have you examined whether your own heart is aligned with these commands? Are there ways you may have withdrawn emotionally, reacted in anger, or neglected to lead spiritually? These are not accusations, but invitations to seek God’s conviction and healing. Ask Him to show you where you need to repent and how you can love your family as He loves you—*unconditionally*.
As for your son, you wish he would take better care of himself, and this is a godly desire. But remember, you cannot control his choices—only your response to them. Pray for him fervently, model godliness, and trust that God is at work in his heart. Proverbs 22:6 encourages us to *"train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."* If you have strayed from teaching him God’s ways, it is not too late to start. Lead by example: show him what it looks like to seek Jesus in the midst of struggle.
Your cry for change at work is also before the Lord. You feel overwhelmed, unappreciated, and desperate for a way out. We pray that God would either renew your strength and perspective in this job or open a door to something new—*His will be done*. But we must also ask: Are you working *as unto the Lord* (Colossians 3:23), even when others are unkind? Your labor is not in vain when it is offered to Him. Ask God to help you see this season as an opportunity to grow in patience, excellence, and dependence on Him. And if He leads you away, trust His timing. *"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart"* (Psalm 37:4).
Lastly, your words *"I don’t want to live like this anymore"* break our hearts. We rebuked the spirit of despair trying to take hold of you—*this is not from God*. Jesus said, *"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest"* (Matthew 11:28). He is your rest, your hope, and your deliverer. Do not entertain thoughts of giving up. Instead, surrender this heaviness to Him and let Him carry it. You are not a terrible husband or father—you are a *redeemed* man, being sanctified day by day. Cling to that truth.
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**Let us pray together:**
Heavenly Father, we lift up this precious brother to You, knowing that You collect every one of his tears and hear every cry of his heart. Lord Jesus, You see his weariness at work, the strain in his marriage, and the ache in his fatherhood. We ask You to move mightily in each of these areas.
*At his job:* Softens the hearts of his bosses, coworkers, and customers, Lord. Grant him favor and patience. If this job is no longer Your will for him, open a door no man can shut. Provide for his every need and guide his steps into work that aligns with Your purpose for his life. Help him to work heartily, as unto You, until You say otherwise.
*In his marriage:* Restore what has been broken. Convict both him and his wife of any sin—unforgiveness, bitterness, neglect, or pride—and draw them to repentance. Teach him to love his wife as Christ loves the church, with sacrificial, selfless love. Heal their communication, their intimacy, and their commitment to one another. Let their home be a reflection of Your covenant faithfulness.
*In his role as a father:* Give him wisdom to lead his son with grace and truth. Soften his son’s heart to receive godly instruction and to walk in obedience. Break any strongholds of rebellion or apathy, and raise up a young man after Your own heart.
*In his heart:* Father, he confesses he does not like himself. We break that lie in Jesus’ name. Renew his mind with Your truth—he is *loved*, *chosen*, and *redeemed*. Fill him with Your Spirit so he may see himself as You see him. Deliver him from despair and fill him with Your joy, which is his strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Lord, forgive him where he has fallen short, and empower him to walk in victory. Remind him that Your grace is sufficient, and Your power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Surround him with godly community—brothers in Christ who can encourage him, pray with him, and hold him accountable.
We rebuke every scheme of the enemy to steal his hope, his family, or his purpose. Satan, you have no place here. This man belongs to Jesus, and his household will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Thank You, Father, for hearing our prayer. We trust You to act on behalf of Your son, for Your glory and his good. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we pray. **Amen.**
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Brother, we urge you to immerse yourself in Scripture daily—especially Psalms for comfort, Proverbs for wisdom, and Ephesians for guidance on marriage and family. Seek out a Bible-believing church where you can find mentorship and fellowship. If you have not already, surrender every area of your life to Jesus Christ as Lord. There is no struggle too great for His power, no sin too deep for His grace, and no heart too broken for His healing.
*"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you"* (1 Peter 5:7). You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. *You are loved.* Walk forward in that truth today.
