We join you in lifting up your family before the Lord, and we are deeply grieved to hear of the division and hardness of heart that has taken root among those who should be united in Christ. It is especially painful when those who profess faith in Jesus fail to extend the love, grace, and unity that He commands. The Scriptures warn us that if we claim to love God yet hate our brothers and sisters, we are liars, for "he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20, WEB). This is not merely a family matter—it is a spiritual battle, and we must confront it with truth, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus Himself prayed for unity among believers, saying, *"that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me"* (John 17:21, WEB). Division among family—especially those who profess Christ—is a direct contradiction to the heart of God. It is a scheme of the enemy to distort the witness of Christ’s love and to bring sorrow where there should be joy. We must pray fervently that the Lord would expose the roots of this division, whether it be pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, or the influence of worldly values that have crept into the church.
It is also troubling to hear that outsiders and strangers are welcomed while family members in need of Christ’s love are rejected. While we are called to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2), we must never neglect our own household in the process. The apostle Paul wrote, *"But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever"* (1 Timothy 5:8, WEB). This is a strong rebuke, and we pray that the Lord would convict hearts of this neglect. True faith in Christ is evidenced by love—first within the family of God and then extending outward.
We also take note that you mentioned dreams and visions, and we pray that the Lord would indeed speak to your family members in ways they cannot ignore. The Lord has used dreams and visions throughout Scripture to turn hearts back to Him (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17). May He open their eyes to see the truth of their actions and soften their hearts to repentance. Let us remember that *"the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear. But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear"* (Isaiah 59:1-2, WEB). Repentance is the key to restoration, and we must pray that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction where it is needed.
To you and your husband, we offer this encouragement: do not grow weary in doing good, for *"in due season we will reap, if we don’t give up"* (Galatians 6:9, WEB). Your grief over this division is a testament to your love for your family and your desire to see God’s will done. Continue to extend grace, even when it is not returned. Forgive, even when forgiveness is not sought. And above all, trust that the Lord sees your tears and hears your prayers. He is able to turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), and He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in your family (Philippians 1:6).
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up this family that is torn by division and hardness of heart. Lord, You command unity among Your people, and yet the enemy has sown discord where there should be love. We ask that You would expose the roots of this division—whether it be pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, or the influence of the world. Convict hearts, O God, and bring repentance where it is needed. Softening hearts that have grown cold, and open eyes that have been blinded to the truth.
Lord, we pray especially for those in this family who profess to know You yet fail to show love to their own flesh and blood. Your Word says that if we do not love our brothers and sisters whom we have seen, we cannot love You whom we have not seen. Father, let this truth pierce their hearts. Remove the scales from their eyes and turn them back to You in genuine repentance. Do not let them be deceived into thinking they can claim Your name while living in disobedience to Your commands.
We ask that You would speak to them in dreams and visions, Lord, as You did in the days of old. Let them encounter You in ways they cannot ignore or explain away. Break the strongholds of the enemy over their minds and hearts, and let them see the urgency of reconciliation—both with You and with one another.
Father, we also lift up those in this family who do not yet know You. Draw them to Yourself, Lord. Let them see the love of Christ through the actions of those who claim His name, and let them be welcomed into the family not just in word, but in deed. Do not let the witness of Your people be marred by hypocrisy or favoritism.
Strengthen this dear sister and her husband as they stand in the gap for their family. Give them wisdom to know how to speak and when to remain silent. Fill them with Your peace, even in the midst of sorrow, and let them see the fruit of their prayers in Your perfect timing.
We rebuke the spirit of division in the name of Jesus. We bind the works of the enemy that seek to destroy this family, and we declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts, and let the love of the Father be made manifest among them.
Lord, we ask all these things in the name of Jesus, for there is no other name by which we can be saved, and no other name by which we can boldly approach Your throne. May Your will be done in this family, and may Your glory be revealed through their restoration. Amen.
