We have heard your heart and we join with you in bringing your family before the throne of grace, asking for God's mercy, healing and restoration in Jesus' name. We understand how heavy this burden must feel as the youngest child, caught in the middle with your older sibling while your parents are separated because of this legal dispute. It is painful to watch the ones you love struggle financially and emotionally, and to fear that your family might be torn apart, and we want you to know that God sees your stress and loneliness and He sees your parents even more clearly.
We want to encourage you that God's will for marriage is unity and lifelong faithfulness. Scripture is clear that marriage is a covenant before God between a man and a woman, and what God has joined together, let no man separate, Matthew 19:6. We also read that God hates divorce, Malachi 2:16, not because He wishes to condemn, but because He knows the deep wound it brings to a family. The fact that there is no official divorce yet is an open door for God's restoring power, and we do not believe His will is for your family to be apart but for forgiveness, reconciliation and love to overpower any ill feelings. Even when there have been fights in the past, God can use every obstacle for good for those who love Him, Romans 8:28, and He desires that we bear with one another and forgive each other as Christ forgave us, Colossians 3:13. We are called to walk with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Ephesians 4:2-3.
We also hear your desire that your whole family be saved spiritually, and that is the most important prayer of all. We stand on the promise that if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved, you and your household, Acts 16:31. To imitate Jesus' heart as you prayed is to let the same mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5, showing patience, understanding and forgiving love even when it is difficult. For your own stress and loneliness and for your parents who carry an even heavier load, we remember that God invites us to cast all our worries on him, because he cares for us, 1 Peter 5:7, and to not be anxious about anything, 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, Philippians 4:6-7. He also promises to supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19, which includes your financial hardships.
We pray together now for you and your family.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before You and lift up this precious family to You. We ask first for their salvation, that each one would come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior and be reconciled to You. We ask for Your forgiveness to flow among them, for clarity where there is confusion, and for Your love to cast out bitterness, anger and hurt. We pray for this marriage, Lord, that You would heal what is broken, soften hearts, bring repentance and understanding, and restore the bond that You created to be lifelong. Give these parents wisdom in their legal dispute and help them to seek You above all else. Comfort the children who are caught in the middle, take away their stress and loneliness, and fill them with Your peace. Teach each member of this family to imitate the heart of Jesus, to be patient, kind and forgiving toward one another, and to keep their family bond strong in You. Provide for their financial needs, calm their emotional pain, and let them see that You are working even in this hard season for their good and Your glory. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, our only hope and our access to the Father, amen.
