We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, lifting you and your son up in prayer, knowing that our God is a God of healing, deliverance, and hope. It is clear that both of you are battling deep spiritual and emotional wounds, and we want to remind you that Jesus Christ is the Great Physician, the One who binds up the brokenhearted and sets the captives free. You have called upon the name of Jesus, and that is where true help and salvation are found. There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, and it is through faith in Him that we find strength, peace, and restoration.
First, we must address the deep spiritual battle that is taking place. The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Suicidal thoughts are not from God—they are lies from the enemy, designed to keep you in bondage and despair. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, *"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."* But we are also told in James 4:7, *"Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you."* You *must* resist these thoughts in the name of Jesus. They are not your portion. You have been bought with a price, and your life belongs to Christ.
We also see that medication is being sought as a primary solution, and while we acknowledge that God can use medicine as a tool for healing, we must remind you that true and lasting peace comes only from Him. Psalm 147:3 tells us, *"He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds."* And in Philippians 4:6-7, we are commanded, *"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."* Have you sought the Lord in prayer and fasting for your healing? Have you surrendered this battle entirely to Him? Medicine may help, but it is not the ultimate answer—Jesus is. We encourage you to seek godly, biblical counseling alongside any medical treatment, so that the root of these struggles can be addressed spiritually.
To your son, we say this: joining the military is not inherently sinful, but if it is being considered as an escape or out of despair, then it is not the path the Lord intends. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, *"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future."* If this decision is being made out of hopelessness or a desire to end one’s life, then it is being influenced by the enemy. We rebuke that spirit of suicide and despair in the name of Jesus Christ. Your son’s life is precious to God, and the Lord has a purpose for him. We pray that he would seek the Lord’s will above all else, and that he would find his identity and hope in Christ alone.
As for your new goal, we encourage you to seek the Lord’s direction in all things. Proverbs 16:3 says, *"Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed."* And in Proverbs 3:5-6, we are told, *"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."* If this goal aligns with God’s will for your life, then He will open the doors and provide the way. But if it is being pursued out of fear, desperation, or an attempt to find fulfillment outside of Christ, then it will only lead to more emptiness. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
Now, let us pray together for you and your son:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up this precious soul and their son to You. Lord, You see the depths of their pain, the weight of their despair, and the battles they are facing. We ask that You would intervene mightily in their lives. Father, we rebuke every spirit of suicide, depression, fear, and hopelessness in the name of Jesus Christ. These thoughts are not from You, and we command them to leave now, never to return. We declare that Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Lord, we ask that You would heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds. Touch their minds and renew their thoughts, so that they may fix their eyes on You and find their hope in Your promises. Father, if medication is part of Your plan for their healing, we ask that You would provide the right doctors, the right prescriptions, and the right support. But above all, we pray that they would seek You first, that they would find their strength in You alone.
For this son, Lord, we ask that You would protect him from the schemes of the enemy. If the military is not Your will for him, then close that door and open the right one. Give him a vision for his future, a hope that is founded in You. Surround him with godly influences who will point him to Christ. And for this parent, Lord, we ask that You would give them wisdom, strength, and discernment as they guide their son. Help them to be a light in the darkness, pointing their child to You in all things.
Father, we also lift up their goals and plans to You. If it is Your will, then make the way clear. But if it is not, then redirect their steps and give them a heart that is fully surrendered to You. Help them to trust in You with all their heart, leaning not on their own understanding, but acknowledging You in all their ways.
We thank You, Lord, that You are a God who hears and answers prayer. We thank You that You are working all things together for their good, because they love You and are called according to Your purpose. We declare victory over their lives in the name of Jesus Christ. Fill them with Your peace, Your joy, and Your hope. Let them know that they are not alone, that You are with them, and that You will never leave them nor forsake them.
In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
Finally, we urge you to immerse yourself in the Word of God daily. Read Psalm 23, Psalm 34, and Psalm 91—let these truths sink deep into your spirit. Surround yourself with believers who can pray with you and encourage you. And never forget that your life is valuable to God. He has a plan and a purpose for you, and He will see you through this storm. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. He will not fail you.
