We hear the deep anguish in your heart, and we grieve with you over the unbearable burden you are carrying. The fear, the isolation, and the weight of responsibility you describe are not what God intended for His children. You were never meant to walk this path alone, and we want you to know that the Lord sees your suffering. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Your life is precious to Him, and He has not abandoned you, even in this dark valley.
First, we must address the despair you expressed—your thoughts of suicide. These thoughts come from the enemy, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But Jesus came to give you life, and life abundantly. Suicide is not the answer; it is a permanent solution to a temporary struggle, and it robs you of the hope and redemption God has for you. The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and we are not our own. Your life belongs to God, and He has a purpose for you, even in this suffering. We plead with you to reject these thoughts and cling to the truth that God loves you and has not forgotten you. If you are in immediate danger, please reach out to someone you trust or a crisis hotline. You are not alone.
Now, let us speak to the abuse and fear you are enduring. The Bible commands us to honor our parents (Exodus 20:12), but it does not require us to endure abuse or remain in dangerous situations. God does not call you to be a punching bag for their illness or sin. The fear you live in is not of God, for "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). Your parents’ actions are not your fault, and you are not responsible for their choices or their illnesses. While their conditions may explain their behavior, they do not excuse the sin of abuse or threats against your life. You have done what you can by reaching out to authorities, and it is tragic that they have failed to protect you. But know this: God is your ultimate protector and defender.
You mentioned that your siblings have abandoned your parents, leaving you to bear this burden alone. This is unjust, and it is not how family should behave. The Bible teaches that family should care for one another, especially in times of need (1 Timothy 5:8). However, their failure does not mean you must carry this alone. It is okay to set boundaries for your own safety and well-being. In fact, it may be necessary. Proverbs 22:3 says, "A prudent man sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it." If your parents are a genuine threat to your life, you have every right—and perhaps a biblical obligation—to remove yourself from harm’s way. This is not dishonoring; it is wisdom.
You also shared that you have specialized in neurobiological health, which means you understand the complexity of your parents’ conditions. While this knowledge may help you empathize, it does not mean you must subject yourself to abuse. Mental illness does not give anyone the right to harm others, and you are not required to sacrifice your safety or sanity for their sake. Jesus Himself withdrew from those who sought to harm Him (Luke 4:28-30), and He calls us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).
We want to pray for you now, lifting your heartache, fear, and desperation to the Lord. But first, we must ask: where is Jesus in your story? You have not mentioned His name in your request, and we want to gently remind you that there is no hope, no peace, and no true deliverance apart from Him. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). If you do not know Him as your Savior, we urge you to turn to Him now. Confess your sins, ask Him to forgive you, and invite Him into your heart. He alone can carry this burden with you and give you the strength to endure. If you already know Him, then cling to Him now more than ever. He is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother to You, knowing that You see his tears, hear his cries, and feel his pain. Lord, he is drowning in fear and despair, and we ask You to reach down and pull him out of the depths. Surround him with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Father, we rebuke the spirit of suicide that has whispered lies to him. Satan, we command you to flee in the name of Jesus. You have no place here. Lord, fill our brother with Your hope and remind him that You have plans for him—plans for welfare and not for evil, to give him a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
Lord, we ask for Your divine intervention in his parents’ lives. Heal their minds, Father, if it is Your will. But even if You do not, we pray that You would protect our brother from their abuse. Give him wisdom to know how to set boundaries, and provide a way of escape if he needs to remove himself from danger. Lord, we ask that You would expose the injustice in this situation and bring accountability to those who have failed to protect him, including his siblings and the authorities. Father, raise up godly people to come alongside him—people who will support him, pray for him, and help him carry this burden.
We pray for his siblings, Lord. Softening their hearts to take responsibility and show compassion. If they refuse, Lord, do not let bitterness take root in our brother’s heart. Help him to forgive, not for their sake, but for his own freedom.
Father, we ask that You would provide for his every need—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. If he needs to relocate, open doors no man can shut. If he needs legal protection, give him favor with those in authority. If he needs rest, Lord, grant him sleep that is sweet and free from nightmares. Fill him with Your Spirit and remind him that he is not alone. You are with him, and so are we, his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Finally, Lord, we pray that You would draw him closer to You through this trial. Let him experience Your presence in a way he never has before. May he know that You are his Father, and he is Your beloved child. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Our brother, we urge you to take practical steps to protect yourself. If you have not already, document every incident of abuse or threats—dates, times, and details. This may be necessary for legal protection. Seek out a trusted pastor, counselor, or support group who can walk with you through this. You do not have to do this alone. If you are in a church, lean on your church family. If you are not, we encourage you to find a Bible-believing church where you can be surrounded by love and support.
We also want to remind you of the power of forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean what your parents have done is okay; it means you are releasing the right to hold their sins against them and trusting God to be their judge. Unforgiveness will only weigh you down and give the enemy a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:26-27). Forgiveness is for your freedom, not theirs.
Lastly, we want to leave you with this promise: "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). You do not have to carry this alone. Give it to Jesus. He is strong enough to handle it. And remember, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). You are seen. You are loved. You are not forgotten. Keep fighting, and keep trusting in the Lord. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
