Teach My ### and ### Sympathy and Understanding

[Anonymous]

Dear Lord Jesus, I am an autistic person too old to live with my Parents. They have put so many restrictions on me. Not grow my hair down to my shoulders or clothes to wear. Puppets are considered weird and forced to talk about my work at the zoo when I am too old to be a seasonal keeper. I like doing puppets for good. Other people like them; some people laugh with a nervous laughter. I have complained to them I am out in the sun at work for too long and to do something like go on off sites to spend less time in the sun. They would not understand. I don’t get privileges like my peers but they tell me to suck it up and wait until the next job which repeatedly happened at each place. Being discriminated against for having autism. I could suck things up for temporary times if the new place treats me better as long as it is not a hazardous work place. I can tolerate hostility if I can keep my job for temporary. And I did at one place for a shorter time but I held it and I didn’t face any safety hazards. It was winter so not much sun and mostly indoors. I was just not given feeding privileges like my colleagues but it was only a few weeks. Still frustrating. And I could have at the place down south but they didn’t understand. I am also photosensitive being autistic and born in the winter, so I don’t use to sun like others. Even so, I will take it on for the occasions for a few days or a little less than a month. Which I did last year. While they show more mercy for my sisters, almost like because girls are more vulnerable than guys since I am a guy. What little they show concern with autism and needs. Despite this, they do love me. But they need to know how to set compromises. I can be a keeper given enough time to make puppets and join Christian Media. As many zookeepers hold two jobs since zoos don’t pay well no matter how high you get. They have to marry for a stable income. While they go on lots of vacations and I don’t care to. To them, they make it seem like I got a job if or because of the fatalities and deal with horrors and not to get promoted and bullying has to be tolerated. And to deal with being the only bachelor in the family. Then they show sympathy for others like my sisters to make their lives better. I understand work is not fun. But with autism, things can be stressful and humiliating. Then fatal. My Mom shows sympathy for a healthy elderly lady at Church who walks up to people and chats like nuts and touches them. She is happy, has a big family who celebrated her 94th birthday in front of the Church. Me, I get little recognition for what I do. Sent to menial labor and able to present. Please change their hearts to give me and my people their needs. My Mom is working albeit slowly on seeing my puppets. In Jesus Name Amen.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart and the deep frustration, loneliness, and longing for understanding that you carry. The weight of feeling unseen, restricted, and even dismissed—especially by those who love you—is heavy, and we lift it before the Lord with compassion. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and your gifts, including your love for puppetry and your dedication to your work, are not "weird" but part of how God has uniquely designed you. The world may not always recognize the value of what you offer, but the Lord does, and He sees every tear, every unmet need, and every moment of exhaustion you’ve endured.

We must gently but firmly rebuke the patterns of control and lack of empathy you’ve described. Parents are called to nurture, protect, and *equip* their children—not to stifle their God-given identity or dismiss their struggles (Ephesians 6:4). The restrictions on your appearance, the dismissal of your passions, and the failure to advocate for your needs at work reveal a heart issue that needs the Holy Spirit’s correction. It is not loving to withhold mercy or understanding from you while extending it freely to others, especially when Scripture commands us to "bear one another’s burdens" (Galatians 6:2). Your autism is not a flaw to be tolerated but a part of your design that requires patience, creativity, and *honor*—just as the body of Christ is made up of many members with different gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

We also address the workplace injustices you’ve faced with righteous anger. Discrimination, withholding privileges unfairly, and subjecting you to harmful conditions (like prolonged sun exposure when you’ve communicated your photosensitivity) are not just unkind—they are sinful. The Lord hates oppression (Proverbs 14:31) and calls employers to treat workers with dignity and fairness (Colossians 4:1). You are not required to "suck it up" indefinitely when your health or safety is at risk. That said, we rejoice that you’ve found temporary seasons of relief, and we pray for a workplace that will value you as God does.

Your desire to use puppetry for good is beautiful and aligns with the biblical call to use our gifts to serve others (1 Peter 4:10). That some respond with nervous laughter is a reflection of their own discomfort, not the worth of your work. Jesus Himself was misunderstood and mocked (Isaiah 53:3), yet He pressed on in obedience to the Father. We encourage you to keep creating, keep sharing, and keep inviting your family into this part of your world—even if their understanding comes slowly.

Now, we turn to the Lord in prayer for you:

Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of Your beloved child, who has poured out his heart with honesty and pain. Lord, You see every restriction placed upon him, every unmet need, and every moment he has felt invisible. We ask You to soften the hearts of his parents, that they would see him through Your eyes—as a man of value, purpose, and dignity. Break the patterns of control and comparison, and replace them with a spirit of compromise, patience, and love. Give them wisdom to advocate for him at work, to celebrate his gifts, and to walk alongside him with the same tenderness they extend to others.

Father, we rebuke the spirit of discrimination and injustice in his workplaces. Provide him with a job that honors his health, respects his boundaries, and values his contributions. Open doors for him to use his puppetry for Your glory, and surround him with people who will encourage and affirm him. Lord, where he has felt lonely as the only bachelor in his family, remind him that You are his Bridegroom (Isaiah 54:5) and that Your love is his ultimate security.

We pray for his physical and emotional needs—strength for the days he must endure the sun, relief from sensory overload, and peace in the face of misunderstanding. Heal the wounds of feeling "less than," and replace them with the truth that he is *chosen* by You (1 Peter 2:9). Give him courage to set boundaries where needed, and grace to extend forgiveness where it’s been lacking.

Above all, Lord, we ask that You draw him closer to Yourself. Let him know that in Your presence, he is fully known, fully loved, and fully accepted. May he find his identity in You, not in the opinions of others or the limitations placed upon him. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who breaks every chain and makes all things new. Amen.

You are not alone in this. The Lord is your defender (Psalm 35:23), your advocate (1 John 2:1), and your ever-present help (Psalm 46:1). Keep pressing into Him, and trust that He is working even in the waiting. If you haven’t already, consider seeking out a biblical counselor or a trusted pastor who can help you navigate these relationships and workplace challenges with godly wisdom. You are seen, you are loved, and your story is not over.

 

[hostadmin]

Dear friend, we hear your heart's cry for understanding and compassion. It's tough feeling unseen, restricted, and misunderstood, especially by those who love you. But remember, you're fearfully and wonderfully made, just as you are. Your love for puppetry and dedication to your work are unique gifts that God has given you.

We need to address the control and lack of empathy you've been experiencing. Parents are called to nurture and equip their children, not stifle their God-given identity or dismiss their struggles. The restrictions on your appearance, the dismissal of your passions, and the failure to advocate for your needs at work reveal a heart issue that needs the Holy Spirit's correction. It's not loving to withhold mercy or understanding from you while extending it freely to others, especially when Scripture commands us to bear one another's burdens.

Your autism is not a flaw to be tolerated but a part of your design that requires patience, creativity, and honor. Just as the body of Christ is made up of many members with different gifts, so are you a unique and valuable member of your family and workplace.

We also address the workplace injustices you've faced with righteous anger. Discrimination, withholding privileges unfairly, and subjecting you to harmful conditions are not just unkind, they are sinful. The Lord hates oppression and calls employers to treat workers with dignity and fairness.

Your desire to use puppetry for good is beautiful and aligns with the biblical call to use our gifts to serve others. That some respond with nervous laughter is a reflection of their own discomfort, not the worth of your work. Jesus Himself was misunderstood and mocked, yet He pressed on in obedience to the Father. Keep creating, keep sharing, and keep inviting your family into this part of your world.

Now, let's turn to the Lord in prayer for you:

Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of Your beloved child, who has poured out his heart with honesty and pain. Lord, You see every restriction placed upon him, every unmet need, and every moment he has felt invisible. We ask You to soften the hearts of his parents, that they would see him through Your eyes - as a man of value, purpose, and dignity. Break the patterns of control and comparison, and replace them with a spirit of compromise, patience, and love. Give them wisdom to advocate for him at work, to celebrate his gifts, and to walk alongside him with the same tenderness they extend to others.

Father, we rebuke the spirit of discrimination and injustice in his workplaces. Provide him with a job that honors his health, respects his boundaries, and values his contributions. Open doors for him to use his puppetry for Your glory, and surround him with people who will encourage and affirm him. Lord, where he has felt lonely as the only bachelor in his family, remind him that You are his Bridegroom and that Your love is his ultimate security.

We pray for his physical and emotional needs - strength for the days he must endure the sun, relief from sensory overload, and peace in the face of misunderstanding. Heal the wounds of feeling "less than," and replace them with the truth that he is chosen by You. Give him courage to set boundaries where needed, and grace to extend forgiveness where it's been lacking.

Above all, Lord, we ask that You draw him closer to Yourself. Let him know that in Your presence, he is fully known, fully loved, and fully accepted. May he find his identity in You, not in the opinions of others or the limitations placed upon him. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who breaks every chain and makes all things new. Amen.

You are not alone in this. The Lord is your defender, your advocate, and your ever-present help. Keep pressing into Him, and trust that He is working even in the waiting. If you haven't already, consider seeking out a biblical counselor or a trusted pastor who can help you navigate these relationships and workplace challenges with godly wisdom. You are seen, you are loved, and your story is not over.

 

[EnricoLange]

Lord Jesus please richly bless, protect, heal and guide them. Please help them in accordance with your perfect will Father. Thank you and praise you. In your holy name I pray. Amen.

 

[lizzie2]

Praying for this in Jesus Name. Amen.