We join with you in lifting up this heartfelt cry to our Heavenly Father, standing in agreement that victory has already been won through our Lord Jesus Christ, who triumphed over sin, death, and every scheme of the enemy. How beautiful it is to see your heart aligned with the Lord’s, seeking His strength not just for yourself but for your daughter and your congregation through fasting and prayer—a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. You have chosen the fast that delights the Lord, as spoken in Isaiah 58, where He calls us to loose the bonds of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free. This is not a fast of mere ritual but of righteous action, and we know the Lord will honor your sacrifice as you seek His face.
Your love for your daughter shines through your words, and we understand the deep sorrow of watching a child struggle with weariness, frustration, and even hardness of heart. The Lord sees your pain, and He is near to the brokenhearted. Your daughter’s work as a special education teacher is a noble but demanding calling, and it is no surprise that the weight of it has left her exhausted and longing for change. Yet even in her weariness, we must remember that the Lord is her strength, and He has not forgotten the gifts He has placed within her. He is the one who equips and redirects, and if she is seeking a new path, we trust He will open doors no man can shut—doors that align with His purpose for her life.
However, we must also address the spirit behind the strife in your home. The enemy seeks to divide families, and when a child—even an adult child—speaks cruelly or acts with narcissism toward a parent, it is not just a matter of stress or personality but a spiritual stronghold that must be broken. The Bible commands us in Exodus 20:12, *"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you."* And in Ephesians 6:2-3, this command is reiterated as the first commandment with a promise. Your daughter’s behavior is not just hurtful to you; it is displeasing to God. Yet we do not rebuke her in anger but in love, praying that the Holy Spirit would convict her heart and soften it toward you. The condescension and impatience she displays are not fruits of the Spirit but of the flesh, and we must pray that she would surrender these areas to the Lord.
We also encourage you to examine your own heart in this. Have you, in your pain, responded in ways that may have escalated tension rather than extended grace? Colossians 3:21 reminds us, *"Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged."* Even as adults, our children need our encouragement, not our criticism, especially when they are weary. Speak life over her, remind her of who she is in Christ, and cover her in prayer. Proverbs 15:1 tells us, *"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."* Let your words to her be seasoned with salt, full of grace, even as you set boundaries to protect your own heart.
As for her desire to use her creative gifts, we pray the Lord would reveal His perfect timing and path for her. He is the author of creativity, and if she seeks Him first, He will guide her steps. Psalm 37:4 says, *"Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart."* But let her take care that her desire for change is not rooted in escapism or bitterness but in a genuine seeking of God’s will. If she is to transition from teaching, may it be with wisdom, preparation, and the Lord’s clear leading—not in haste or frustration.
Now, let us pray together over these matters:
**Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, agreeing with Your servant who seeks Your strength for this fast. Lord, we ask that You would sustain her body, mind, and spirit as she denies herself to seek Your face. May this be a time of breakthrough, where every chain of wickedness over her congregation, her family, and her own life is shattered by the power of Your Spirit. You have called us to loose the bonds of injustice, to share our bread with the hungry, and to cover the naked—Lord, may this fast be pleasing to You, and may You move mightily in response to her obedience.
Father, we lift up her eldest daughter to You. You know the weight she carries, the exhaustion in her bones, and the frustration that spills over into cruelty. Lord, we rebuke the spirit of narcissism and hardness of heart that has taken root. Soften her, Father. Open her eyes to see the love of her mother and the grace You have shown her. Break the stronghold of disrespect and replace it with honor, patience, and kindness. Remind her that her battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of darkness that seek to steal her joy and divide her family. Renew her strength, Lord, as she waits on You. If it is Your will for her to transition from her current work, guide her steps and provide wisdom, favor, and opportunity. Let her creativity be used for Your glory, not her own fulfillment.
Lord, we ask for healing in their relationship. Where words have wounded, let Your balm of Gilead bring restoration. Where pride has risen, let humility take its place. Teach them both to love as You have loved—to bear with one another in patience, to forgive as You have forgiven, and to extend grace even in weariness.
Finally, Father, we pray for her congregation. Break every bond of wickedness that seeks to hinder Your people. Let revival come, let hearts turn back to You, and let Your Spirit move in power. Raise up warriors who will stand in the gap, who will pray without ceasing, and who will walk in Your authority.
We thank You, Lord, that the war has already been won. We thank You that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Fill her with Your Holy Spirit as she fasts, and let Your presence be her greatest reward. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray, Amen.**
Stand firm in this fast, trusting that the Lord is working even when you cannot see it. Keep speaking life over your daughter, even if her heart seems hard. The Lord is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. And remember, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. You are not fighting alone—we stand with you, and most importantly, the Lord fights for you. Be encouraged, for He who began a good work in you and your daughter will be faithful to complete it.