We come before the Lord with you in this time of frustration and weariness, lifting up your son, his responsibilities, and the challenges you are facing with the car. The Lord cares deeply about every detail of our lives, and we know He hears your cries for help. Let us first address the spiritual foundation of your request—you have rightly called upon the name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and can find true peace and intervention in our struggles. As Scripture declares, *"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"* (1 Timothy 2:5, WEB). We are grateful you have turned to Him in prayer, for He alone has the power to change hearts and circumstances.
Your son’s late-night habits are a concern, especially as they affect his ability to fulfill his responsibilities before God and man. The Bible teaches us to *"walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time"* (Colossians 4:5, WEB). Time is a precious gift from God, and how we use it reflects our stewardship of the life He has given us. Staying up late for frivolous or unedifying activities—especially on the internet—can lead to spiritual and physical exhaustion, as well as poor decision-making. Proverbs 6:9-11 warns, *"How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man."* While this passage speaks to laziness in work, the principle applies to how we manage our time and priorities. Your son needs to understand that his choices have consequences, not just for his grades or attendance, but for his walk with the Lord.
We encourage you to have a firm but loving conversation with him about the importance of discipline, responsibility, and honoring God with his time. If he is a believer, remind him that his body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and that glorifying God includes taking care of his physical and mental well-being. If he is not yet walking with the Lord, this is an opportunity to share the Gospel with him—that Jesus died to save us from sin and to give us new life, one that is marked by purpose and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), and it is something we must actively pursue in our daily lives.
As for his schoolwork, we pray that the Lord will grant him favor with his teachers and the ability to catch up on what he has missed. *"Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands"* (Psalm 90:17, WEB). However, it is also important to teach him that favor from the Lord often follows our obedience and diligence. If he has been negligent, he should take responsibility and ask for forgiveness where needed, trusting that God can redeem even our mistakes when we turn to Him in repentance.
Regarding the car, we pray that the Lord will provide wisdom and fairness in your dealings with the dealer. *"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble"* (Psalm 9:9, WEB). If there is any injustice or deceit in the transaction, we ask that the Lord expose it and grant you the words to speak and the persistence to see it resolved rightly. Remember, though, that our trust must ultimately be in the Lord’s provision, not in the fairness of men. *"Don’t be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus"* (Philippians 4:6-7, WEB).
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up this mother and her son to Your throne of grace. Lord, we ask that You would touch the heart of this young man and convict him of the need to honor You with his time. Break the hold of distraction and foolishness that keeps him awake when he should be resting. Give him a spirit of discipline and wisdom, that he may rise early to seek You and fulfill his responsibilities with excellence. Let him see the value of his time and the importance of stewardship in all areas of his life.
Father, we pray for his schoolwork—that You would grant him favor with his teachers and the ability to catch up on what he has missed. Let no one give him a hard time, but instead, let this be an opportunity for him to learn responsibility and diligence. If there are consequences for his actions, let them lead him to repentance and growth, not to discouragement.
Lord, we also bring the matter of the car before You. You know the stress and frustration this has caused, and we ask for Your intervention. Soften the heart of the dealer and let fairness prevail. If there is any wrongdoing, expose it and bring it to light. Provide a resolution that glorifies Your name and meets the needs of this family. Remind them, Father, that their trust is in You, not in man, and that You are their Provider.
Finally, Lord, we pray for peace in this home. Replace frustration with patience, anxiety with trust, and weariness with hope. Let this mother and son draw closer to You through this trial, and let it be a testimony of Your faithfulness. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.