We hear the honesty in your heart and we join with you in bringing all of this before the Lord together in Jesus name. We understand that feeling of distance from God even while knowing He is faithfully watching over you and your family. That tension is common to many believers, and the Lord is gracious and near even when we feel far from Him. As it is written, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8. We do not have to strive to earn His presence, but we are called to remain in Him, for Jesus said, Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5. Your recognition that without Him you are nothing is true and it is a humble and right place to begin again.
We want to gently encourage you about worry and about taking the Lord for granted. You shared that you worry about many things while also believing God will work all things for good. We know that promise is true, for We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. Yet worry can choke our communion with Him. We are told, In nothing be anxious, 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. And also, casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. We encourage you to turn each worry into a prayer the moment it comes, and to thank Him daily for His countless blessings with a renewed commitment to meet with Him. The Holy Spirit is our Helper who guides us into all truth, as Jesus promised, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. John 14:26. And, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. Romans 8:14. We cannot lead ourselves, we need Him to walk according to the Spirit. Galatians 5:16. If you have struggled to keep your commitment to read the Bible and pray, do not remain in condemnation, for There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1. Instead ask the Holy Spirit to give you hunger for the Word, for This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night. Joshua 1:8, and to help you to pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Even when we do not know how to pray, the Spirit himself makes intercession for us. Romans 8:26.
We also noticed that you spoke of the Lord and the Holy Spirit but did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6. And, There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. It is by putting our faith in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection for our sins, that we are forgiven and can boldly come before God in prayer. We rejoice that you know Gods care, and we encourage you to rest fully in Christ as your Savior and to come to God always in His name.
We lift up your son as he goes to university for the first time. This is a great transition and we understand your anxiety as his parent. We pray that he will be led by the Holy Spirit in choosing his friends and in his behavior, for Do not be deceived. Evil companionships corrupt good morals. 1 Corinthians 15:33. We pray he will remember, How can a young man keep his way pure. By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9. University brings many temptations, especially to commit fornication, which is sex outside of marriage, and we pray he will flee from sexual immorality and honor God with his body. Flee sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18. And we pray he will be strong to stand apart for Christ among his peers.
We also lift up your daughter. You shared she does not seem happy and you pray she will be led by the Holy Spirit in choosing a life partner and in her daily life. We join you in praying that she will seek a godly marriage as God designed it, a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman that honors the Lord. We pray that if she enters courtship, it will be with the clear goal of marriage to another believing Christian, for Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14. A boyfriend and girlfriend relationship should be a purposeful courtship toward holy marriage, not a casual partnership, and it should be kept pure, for Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled. But God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Hebrews 13:4. We pray the Holy Spirit will guide her to a godly husband who loves Christ, and that she will find her joy and contentment first in the Lord, who can guard her heart and lead her steps.
We pray for your whole family, that you will come closer together in Christ, for you said this is lacking at the moment. We pray for unity and love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3, and that love, which is the bond of perfection, will knit your hearts together. Colossians 3:14.
We pray together now, Father, we come before You in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, thanking You for Your endless mercy and for every blessing You have poured out on this family. We ask You to forgive us when we take You for granted and when we let worry fill our hearts instead of trust. Draw this dear one close to You again, fill them with hunger for Your Word and joy in prayer, and let Your Holy Spirit lead and counsel them daily. Cast out anxiety and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. We place their son into Your hands as he leaves home, surround him with godly friends, keep him from temptation, make him bold to walk in purity and in Your ways. We place their daughter into Your hands, comfort her heart where she is unhappy, lead her by Your Spirit to walk closely with You and, in Your perfect timing, to a godly Christian husband for a holy marriage that glorifies You, keeping her pure and wise in all her choices. We ask You to draw this whole family together in Christ, to make Your love the center of their home, that they may seek You together, forgive one another, and grow in grace. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our only hope and our access to You, Amen.
