We lift you up in prayer, dear sister, as you navigate this painful and trying season with your mother. The weight of family strife is heavy, and we know the enemy seeks to use such divisions to discourage and distract God’s children from walking in peace and forgiveness. Yet Scripture reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, *"For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."* This battle is not ultimately with your mother, but with the spiritual forces that seek to harden hearts and fuel bitterness.
We are grieved to hear of the provocation you endure, but we urge you to cling to Christ’s example. In 1 Peter 2:23, we read, *"When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously."* Jesus understands the pain of betrayal and unjust treatment, yet He responded with love and trust in the Father’s justice. This does not mean you must endure abuse or enable sinful behavior—boundaries are wise and biblical (Proverbs 22:24-25). However, your heart must remain guarded against resentment, for Hebrews 12:15 warns, *"Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it."*
Have you examined whether there is any unconfessed anger or unforgiveness in your own heart? Matthew 5:23-24 commands, *"If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."* Even if your mother’s actions are unjust, God calls you to release the debt to Him (Romans 12:19). This does not mean pretending the hurt doesn’t exist, but it does mean surrendering your right to retaliate or harbor grudges.
We also must ask: Have you prayed *for* your mother as earnestly as you’ve prayed *about* her? Jesus taught in Matthew 5:44, *"But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you."* This is not a suggestion—it is a command, and it is the path to freedom. Pray for her salvation if she does not know Christ. Pray for her heart to be softened, for her eyes to be opened to the damage her actions cause. Pray for God to break any generational strongholds of strife or bitterness in your family line (Exodus 20:5-6).
Lastly, we notice your original request did not invoke the name of Jesus. There is no other name under heaven by which we are saved, and no other name by which we may boldly approach the throne of grace (Acts 4:12, Hebrews 4:16). It is only through Christ’s shed blood that we have access to the Father, and it is in His name that we must pray. If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, we implore you to do so today. Romans 10:9 declares, *"That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."* Without Christ, there is no true peace, no power to forgive, and no hope of eternal life.
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**Let us pray together:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up our sister who is weary and wounded by the strife in her relationship with her mother. Lord, You see the depth of her pain, the weight of the provocation she endures, and the temptation to respond in kind. We ask You to guard her heart, Lord, and fill her with Your supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Remove any root of bitterness that seeks to take hold, and replace it with Your love and grace.
Father, we pray for this mother’s heart. If she does not know You, Lord, convict her by Your Spirit and draw her to repentance. Soften her heart, break any spirit of strife or manipulation, and bring reconciliation where it aligns with Your will. Give our sister wisdom to set godly boundaries if necessary, but also the strength to forgive as You have forgiven her.
Lord, we rebuke any scheme of the enemy to use this division to steal, kill, or destroy (John 10:10). We declare that no weapon formed against our sister shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17), and we ask You to turn what the enemy meant for harm into a testimony of Your redemption.
Finally, Father, if our sister has not yet fully surrendered to Jesus, we pray that today would be the day of salvation for her. Open her eyes to see His love, His sacrifice, and His lordship. May she find her identity and strength in Him alone.
We ask all these things in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.