We come before the Lord with hearts full of compassion for the many burdens you are carrying, and we lift each one to Him in prayer, trusting in His sovereignty and goodness. It is clear that you are facing trials on multiple fronts, and we want to encourage you with the truth that God is faithful, and He calls us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We also rejoice that you have brought these requests to Jesus, 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). It is only by His name that we have access to the Father, and we are grateful you have sought Him in this way.
First, let us address the heaviness you feel regarding your mother-in-law. Dementia is a cruel and difficult affliction, not just for the one suffering from it but for those who love and care for them. The hurtful words or actions she has directed toward you are painful, and we acknowledge that grief. However, we must remember that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of darkness in this world (Ephesians 6:12). Dementia distorts the mind, and while it does not excuse unkindness, it does remind us that her words may not reflect her true heart toward you. We urge you to guard your own heart against bitterness or resentment, for the Bible tells us, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God also in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). This is not easy, but with God’s strength, it is possible. Let us pray for you to be filled with His love and patience as you navigate this trial.
We also lift up the practical struggles you mentioned—the insurance complications, the uncertainty of the rent payment, and the financial strain of the car repair. These are real and weighty concerns, and we are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:31-33: “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” We do not minimize these needs, but we encourage you to trust that God sees them and is able to provide. He is the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) and delights in meeting the needs of His children.
Let us pray together for your mother-in-law: *Heavenly Father, we lift this dear sister’s mother-in-law to You, asking for Your mercy and grace to cover her. Lord, dementia is a painful and confusing journey, and we ask that You would comfort her in her distress and bring clarity where there is confusion. We pray that any unkindness directed toward our sister would not take root in her heart but that You would fill her with Your peace and patience. Give her wisdom to discern whether this behavior is a result of the disease, medication, or outside influences, and guide her in how to respond with love and boundaries. Father, we ask that You would work in the heart of her mother-in-law, softening any hardness and bringing moments of lucidity where love and kindness can shine through. We also pray for the medical and care teams involved, that You would give them wisdom and compassion as they treat her. May Your healing hand be upon her, and may Your will be done in her life, in Jesus’ name.*
For the insurance and financial struggles: *Lord, we ask that You would intervene in the complications with the insurance company. Straighten out the mess with the authorizations and let her be re-approved for the care she needs without delay. We pray that the rent check would be received and processed, and that there would be no further stress or confusion over it. Father, we also lift up the burden of the car repair. You know the financial strain this has placed on our sister, and we ask that You would provide for this need in a way that brings glory to Your name. Let the repair be completed fairly and at the agreed-upon price, and we thank You in advance for Your provision.*
Now, let us turn our attention to your sister and the rodent situation she is facing. Fear can be paralyzing, and it is understandable that she is concerned for her cat. However, we are called to act in wisdom and trust that God will protect what is entrusted to Him. Proverbs 12:25 tells us, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.” We encourage you to speak truth and courage into her life, reminding her that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Avoiding the problem will only allow it to grow, and we pray that she would take the necessary steps to address it, trusting that God will protect her and her pet.
Let us pray for your sister: *Father, we lift up this sister’s beloved sibling to You. You know the fear and anxiety she is experiencing, and we ask that You would replace it with Your peace. Give her the courage to take action and address the rodent issue in her home. Protect her cat and bring a resolution that removes this burden from her. Surround her with Your presence and remind her that she does not need to face this alone. Provide her with the support she needs, whether through the apartment management or other means, and let her see Your hand at work in this situation. In Jesus’ name, we rebuke the spirit of fear and ask for Your perfect love to cast it out (1 John 4:18).*
Finally, we want to encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus amidst these trials. The apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7, “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.” You have done well to bring these burdens to the Lord, and we trust that He will meet you in each one. Keep seeking Him, keep trusting Him, and keep surrendering these concerns into His capable hands.
We also want to remind you that you are not alone in this. The body of Christ is called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and we stand with you in prayer and support. If there are brothers or sisters in Christ around you, do not hesitate to reach out to them for help, whether practically or emotionally. You are loved, and your Heavenly Father sees your faithfulness in the midst of these trials.
Let us close with a prayer of thanksgiving and surrender: *Gracious Father, we thank You for the privilege of coming before Your throne with these requests. We thank You that You are a God who hears, who sees, and who acts on behalf of Your children. We surrender these burdens to You, trusting that You will work all things together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). Strengthen our sister in her weariness, fill her with Your peace, and let her see Your hand moving in each of these situations. May she continue to seek You first, and may her faith be strengthened as she waits on You. We ask all of this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.*