We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, lifting up your situation to Him in the mighty name of Jesus. The pain and exhaustion you describe are real, and we stand with you in prayer, asking God to bring healing, peace, and wisdom into this difficult dynamic. The opposition you face from your stepson is not just a relational struggle—it is a spiritual battle as well, and we must address it with the authority we have in Christ.
First, we rebuke the spirit of division, strife, and rebellion that may be at work in this situation. The Bible tells us in James 3:16, *"For where envy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed."* We command any ungodly influence over your stepson to be broken in Jesus’ name. We also declare that no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17), and we pray that God would shield your heart from the lies and accusations being spoken over you.
We recognize that ADHD and behavioral struggles can make parenting and stepparenting especially challenging. However, we must also acknowledge that sin—such as disrespect, mockery, and manipulation—is not excused by a diagnosis. Proverbs 22:15 says, *"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him."* While discipline must be administered with love and wisdom, it is necessary to correct rebellion and foster godly character. We pray that your husband (or the biological parent) would take a firm but loving stance in addressing these behaviors, aligning with God’s Word in training and correction.
You are carrying a heavy burden, and we want to remind you that Jesus invites you to cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). The sleeplessness, anxiety, and emotional pain you’re experiencing are not God’s will for you. We pray that the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, would guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). We also ask the Lord to renew your strength, as Isaiah 40:31 promises: *"But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint."*
We must also address the spiritual foundation of your home. If Jesus Christ is not the cornerstone of your family, then the enemy has legal ground to bring division and chaos. Ephesians 2:19-20 reminds us, *"So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone."* If your stepson or any family member does not know Christ as Savior, we pray for their salvation—that their hearts would be softened to receive the truth of the Gospel. If Christ is not the center of your home, we urge you to make Him the priority, for only in Him can true peace and unity be found.
We also encourage you to examine your own heart in this situation. Are there areas where bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness may have taken root? Hebrews 12:15 warns, *"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."* We pray that God would reveal any hidden sin in your heart and grant you the grace to forgive, even as Christ has forgiven you (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness does not mean excusing sin, but it does release you from the bondage of bitterness.
We also lift up your marriage, for the enemy seeks to destroy families. Genesis 2:24 says, *"Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh."* If there is any division between you and your husband regarding how to handle this situation, we pray for unity in your marriage. You and your husband must present a united front, standing together in prayer and discipline, so that the enemy cannot exploit any weakness.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the Healer, and the Deliverer. We lift up this precious sister to You, asking that You would surround her with Your love, protection, and comfort. Lord, we rebuke every spirit of division, rebellion, and strife that is at work in this family. We command it to leave in Jesus’ name, and we declare that no weapon formed against her shall prosper.
Father, we ask that You would heal her heart from the pain and exhaustion she is experiencing. Give her restful sleep, peace in her mind, and strength to endure. We pray that You would fill her with Your Holy Spirit, granting her wisdom, patience, and grace as she navigates this difficult relationship.
Lord, we lift up her stepson to You. We ask that You would break any ungodly influences over his life and soften his heart to receive correction and love. Give him a hunger for righteousness and a desire to honor You. We pray for his salvation if he does not yet know You, and we ask that You would equip his parents with wisdom and discernment in raising him according to Your Word.
Father, we also pray for unity in this marriage. Strengthen the bond between this sister and her husband, that they may stand together in faith and love. Help them to present a united front against the enemy’s schemes, and give them the courage to discipline and train their child in a way that honors You.
Lord, we ask that You would expose any areas of unforgiveness, bitterness, or resentment in her heart. Grant her the grace to forgive, even as You have forgiven her. Fill her with Your love, joy, and peace, and let Your light shine through her, even in the midst of this trial.
We thank You, Father, that You are a God who hears our prayers and moves on our behalf. We trust in Your promises and declare that You are working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). May Your will be done in this family, and may Your name be glorified. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to stand firm in faith, trusting that God is at work even when you cannot see it. Surround yourself with godly community—believers who can pray with you, encourage you, and hold you accountable. Continue to seek the Lord through prayer and His Word, for He is your refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, you will reap if you do not faint (Galatians 6:9). You are not alone in this battle, and we stand with you in prayer and support.