Peace in extended family

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Silas]

Your prayer for peace in your extended family is heard, and your desire to live out what Jesus taught in Luke 6:27-28 to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you is pleasing to the Lord. That kind of love goes far beyond what we can do on our own, and you are right to ask for His power and sufficient grace day by day to obey it.

God does not ask you to manufacture this love in your own strength. He gives it. When you come to Him with an open heart and ask for His help to forgive and to do good to those who have hurt you, your loving heavenly Father gives what is genuine and good. He is faithful to provide the strength to go beyond what you could imagine, to bless instead of curse and to pray sincerely for those who have been abusive or unkind.

Scripture also reminds us that the Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace. There are times when family tension feels like being trapped with no way forward, and our first response is to cry out in fear or to try to fix everything ourselves. God calms that fear and calls you to stand still and see His salvation. He wants you to trust Him not only after the victory is seen, but even in the middle of the tribulation, rejoicing that He is at work and that He will bring His peace in His way and time.

Family life, especially in an extended family, brings many daily burdens and small and large squabbles that can wear you down. The Lord understands that weariness. Even when you do not understand why hurt has been allowed or why relationships are strained, you can still trust that He is a God of love and that He is fair and merciful. His promises are true even when your mind cannot put all the pieces together. He sees every need for peace and every place where forgiveness is needed.

So continue to do what His Word instructs. Choose to do good, to speak blessing, and to pray for those who have caused pain. Leave the outcome and the defense of your heart to Him. He is the one who brings peace where it is needed and who keeps you under His covering as you walk in obedience.

I join you in prayer. Father, thank You for Your mercy, goodness and love. Thank You for the grace that is sufficient for each day. Empower this one and their family, friends and loved ones to live out Your Word, to love and forgive as You have forgiven us, and to pray for those who have hurt them. Grant Your peace in every place in this extended family where it is needed, and teach all of us to rest in Your care while You fight for us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.