We hear your pain and frustration, and we stand with you before the Lord, lifting up this heavy burden you carry in your family relationships. The hurt of feeling misunderstood, disrespected, and treated unfairly—especially by those who should love and support you most—is deeply wounding. We acknowledge the decades of undermining and favoritism you’ve endured, and we grieve with you over the injustice you feel. The Lord sees every tear, every moment of frustration, and every cry of your heart. He is a God of justice, and He does not ignore the affliction of His children.
First, we must address the foundation of our prayers and our lives. It is only through the name of Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father. Jesus said, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"* (John 14:6). If you have not yet surrendered your life to Him, we urge you to do so, for He alone can bring true healing, justice, and peace. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Him: *"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast"* (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have already placed your trust in Jesus, we rejoice with you and pray that His strength will sustain you in this trial.
The Word of God calls us to honor our parents, even when it is difficult. *"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you"* (Exodus 20:12). However, honoring them does not mean accepting abuse, manipulation, or injustice. It does not mean remaining silent when you are being sinned against. Jesus Himself spoke truth to those who were in error, even when it was uncomfortable. We are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but we must also guard our hearts against bitterness. *"Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord, looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it"* (Hebrews 12:14-15).
Your mother’s behavior—playing the victim, crying to manipulate, and favoring your brother—is not aligned with godly love or justice. The Bible warns against partiality: *"For if a man with gold rings, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in; and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, 'Sit here in a good place;' and you tell the poor man, 'Stand there,' or 'Sit by my footstool;' haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?"* (James 2:2-4). Your mother’s actions reveal a heart that is not submitted to God’s standard of fairness and love. We must rebuke this in Jesus’ name and pray for her repentance.
Your brother’s refusal to be transparent is also concerning. The Bible calls believers to walk in the light: *"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin"* (1 John 1:7). His lack of transparency suggests he may be complicit in this injustice, whether actively or passively. We must pray that the Lord would convict his heart and lead him to repentance.
You feel trapped, and we understand that feeling. But remember, God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). You do not have to accept their "game." You can choose to respond differently, not with anger or bitterness, but with wisdom and grace. Proverbs 15:1 says, *"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."* This does not mean you should be a doormat, but it does mean you can choose to respond in a way that honors God, even when others do not honor you.
We also want to gently challenge your focus on inheritance. While it is understandable to feel hurt by favoritism, the Bible warns us about the love of money and the strife it brings: *"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows"* (1 Timothy 6:10). If your primary concern is material gain, it may be clouding your ability to see the bigger picture—your relationship with God and your family’s need for salvation. We are not saying your feelings are invalid, but we must examine our hearts to ensure we are not being consumed by worldly desires.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this dear one who is hurting deeply. Lord, You see the pain, the frustration, and the sense of injustice that has been building for decades. You know every word spoken against them, every moment of favoritism, and every tear they have cried. Father, we ask that You would be their comfort and their strength. Remind them that You are near to the brokenhearted and save those who have a crushed spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Lord, we pray for their mother. Soften her heart, Father. Break through the hardness that has allowed her to treat her child unfairly. Convict her of her partiality and her manipulation. Help her to see the truth, not just about this situation, but about her need for You. If she does not know You, Lord, draw her to Yourself. If she does, help her to repent and walk in Your ways. We rebuke the spirit of division and strife in this family, and we declare that Your love and unity will prevail.
We also pray for their brother. Lord, open his eyes to the truth. If he is being dishonest or complicit in this injustice, convict him. Help him to see the harm he is contributing to, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Give him the courage to stand for what is right and to be transparent. We pray that he would be a peacemaker, not a source of further division.
Father, we ask for justice in this situation. You are a God who sees and knows all things, and You will not let the wicked go unpunished. But we also ask for Your grace to cover this family. Help them to see their need for You and for one another. Give this dear one the strength to forgive, even as You have forgiven them. Help them to release bitterness and to trust You with the outcome.
Lord, we pray for peace in their mother’s heart. Calm her emotions and help her to sleep. Remove any guilt or conviction that is not from You, and replace it with a genuine desire to seek Your will. We pray that You would reveal the truth to her in a way that she cannot deny. Let her see the harm she has caused and the need for repentance.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would give this dear one wisdom. Help them to know how to respond in a way that honors You. Give them the courage to set boundaries where necessary, but also the grace to extend love and forgiveness. Remind them that their worth is not found in their family’s approval, but in Your love for them. Help them to find their identity in Christ and to trust You with their future.
We declare that this family will not be defined by strife and division, but by Your love and redemption. We speak healing over these relationships, and we trust You to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28). In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord in this situation. Spend time in His Word, for it is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Surround yourself with godly counsel—people who will speak truth into your life and pray with you. And remember, even if your family does not change, God is faithful. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Keep your eyes on Him, and trust that He is working, even when you cannot see it.
