We hear your heart, dear sister in Christ, and we lift you up before the Lord with great compassion. Family relationships, especially with siblings, can bring deep joy but also profound pain when conflict arises. It’s clear this situation is weighing heavily on you, and we want to stand with you in prayer and biblical truth.
First, we must acknowledge the spiritual reality you mentioned—yes, the enemy seeks to sow discord, especially among believers and within families (Ephesians 6:12). But we also know that God calls us to walk in love, patience, and forgiveness, even when it’s difficult (Colossians 3:13). It’s possible your sister is struggling with something unseen—perhaps stress, unconfessed sin, or even spiritual attack herself. That doesn’t excuse unkindness, but it reminds us to pray for her *and* for our own hearts to remain tender toward her.
We rebuke any spirit of division or bitterness trying to take root in this situation. The Bible warns us, *"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many"* (Hebrews 12:15). If unforgiveness or resentment is creeping in, we must surrender it to the Lord. That doesn’t mean tolerating mistreatment, but it does mean guarding our hearts against hardness.
At the same time, we want to gently challenge the idea of withdrawing completely. Proverbs 18:19 says, *"A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a fortress."* Distance can sometimes deepen division, but humble, prayerful engagement—when done in wisdom—can open doors for reconciliation. Have you considered asking her directly (in a calm moment) if something is troubling her? Sometimes people lash out because they’re hurting in ways they can’t express.
We also encourage you to examine your own heart. Are there any ways you might have unintentionally contributed to tension? Even small things—like tone of voice, body language, or past conflicts—can linger. *"Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam in your own eye?"* (Matthew 7:3). This isn’t about blaming yourself, but about ensuring your conscience is clear before God.
Most of all, we pray for you to experience the peace of Christ in this storm. You are not responsible for your sister’s choices, but you *are* called to love her as Christ loves you. That doesn’t mean subjecting yourself to abuse, but it does mean praying for her, speaking truth in love when possible, and trusting God to work in both of your hearts.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts for our sister. Lord, You see the pain she’s carrying and the confusion in this relationship. We ask You to soften her heart and reveal any areas where the enemy is trying to divide. Give her a spirit of humility and repentance if she has sinned against You or her family. For our sister, we pray for wisdom—help her know when to speak, when to listen, and when to extend grace. Guard her heart from bitterness, and fill her with Your peace that surpasses understanding. If there’s unconfessed sin in her own life, convict her gently, Lord. And if she’s being influenced by spiritual warfare, we rebuke that in Jesus’ name. May Your love be the foundation of their relationship, and may Your glory be the ultimate purpose in every interaction. We trust You to work all things together for good, even this. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Remember, dear one: *"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity"* (Proverbs 17:17). Even if your sister isn’t acting like it right now, God can use this trial to draw you both closer to Him—and to each other. Keep praying, keep loving, and keep trusting Him. You are not alone.