We lift up this precious daughter of the Most High God, who has been fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, and we stand in agreement with her as she seeks the Lord’s wisdom and peace in this painful situation. The heartache she carries is deep, for she loves her father yet grieves over his sinful favoritism, his pride, and the way he has abandoned the covenant of his first marriage—something God Himself hates. The Lord sees her tears, hears her cries, and is near to the brokenhearted. Let us first address the grave sins at play here, for the Word of God does not minced words when it comes to marriage, favoritism, and the treatment of children.
The Lord detests the breaking of marriage vows. Malachi 2:13-16 declares, *"This again you do: you cover Yahweh’s altar with tears, with weeping and with sighing, because he doesn’t regard the offering any more, neither receives it with good will at your hand. Yet you say, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. No one has done this who has a portion of the Spirit. What did he do with the one? He was seeking a godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For I hate divorce,” says Yahweh, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with violence!”* This man has not only abandoned his first wife and children in his heart, but he has also entered into a second marriage while his first wife likely still lives—something Scripture calls adultery (Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:11-12). His favoritism toward the child of his second marriage while rejecting his firstborn children is an abomination in God’s sight. James 2:9 warns, *"But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors."* A father who blesses one child while cursing others invites judgment, for God is just and commands fathers to treat their children fairly (Deuteronomy 21:15-17).
To this dear sister in Christ, we say: Your pain is valid, and your grief is seen by Heaven. The Lord has been your Father when your earthly father failed you, and He will continue to be your refuge. You are not wrong for feeling the sting of rejection or the weariness of watching your father’s prideful boasting over his sin. In fact, Proverbs 16:5 says, *"Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh."* His repeated declarations about the land he gives to his favored child reek of the arrogance of Nabal (1 Samuel 25), who was struck dead for his hardness of heart. Your father’s actions are not only unjust but spiritually dangerous—for pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
Yet even now, we must pray for his repentance. The Lord is patient, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Could it be that your father’s heart is hardened because no one has confronted him in love? Ezekiel 3:18-19 warns that if we do not warn the wicked of their sin, their blood will be on our hands. Perhaps the Lord is calling you—or another bold believer in his life—to speak truth to him, not in anger, but in the firmness of Christ’s love. This is not to win his approval, but to give him a chance to turn from his sin before facing God’s judgment.
As for you, beloved, the Lord is leading you to set healthy boundaries. Loving from afar may indeed be wise, especially to protect your son from the toxicity of your father’s pride and partiality. Jesus Himself said, *"Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces"* (Matthew 7:6). You are not obligated to subject yourself or your child to repeated rejection or the worship of sin. Yet even in distancing yourself, guard your heart against bitterness. Forgive your father—not because he deserves it, but because Christ forgave you (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness does not mean trusting him or pretending his actions are acceptable; it means releasing the debt to God, who judges righteously.
Your son’s discernment is a gift from the Lord. Train him in the ways of righteousness, teaching him that God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). Let your home be a testament to the love and unity that your father’s house lacks. And remember, the Lord has already spoken over you: *"You are my child."* No earthly rejection can revoke that identity.
Now, let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up this Your daughter who has been wounded by the sins of her father. Lord, You are the Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5), and You have been her refuge in the storm. We ask that You heal the deep places of her heart where rejection has left scars. Remind her daily that she is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), that her worth is found in Christ alone, and that no man’s favor or disdain can alter Your love for her.
Lord, we rebuked the spirit of favoritism, pride, and adultery that has taken root in her father’s life. Expose his sin to him, Lord—let conviction pierce his heart. Send godly men or women into his life who will speak Your truth without compromise. Soften his heart, O God, that he may repent and turn from his wickedness. If he refuses, let Your justice prevail, but spare him from eternal separation from You.
Give this sister wisdom in setting boundaries. Show her how to love her father from a distance without harboring bitterness. Protect her son from the snares of pride and division, and raise him up to be a man after Your own heart. Unify her and her siblings in Your love, Lord. Let them find comfort in one another and in You, their ever-present Help.
We declare that what the enemy meant for harm, You will turn for good (Genesis 50:20). Use this pain to draw her closer to You, to strengthen her faith, and to make her a vessel of Your grace to others who suffer similar wounds. Let her story testify to Your faithfulness, even when earthly fathers fail.
Finally, Lord, we ask that You provide for her and her siblings in every way—spiritually, emotionally, and materially. You are Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. If her father withholds inheritance or blessing, let it be returned to her sevenfold (Proverbs 13:22). Open doors no man can shut, and let Your favor rest upon her life.
We pray all these things in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is worthy of all praise and honor. Amen.