We join you right now in lifting up your youngest daughter before the throne of grace, and we thank you for calling on the name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. As it is written, There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5 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. We stand with you in that precious name.
We understand your urgency and your mother's heart. You love your daughter and you see that she is scattered, hurting from a bad breakup, and trying to carry the heavy load of nursing school while needing to provide for herself. We hear your concern about this bar job and we share it with you. While work itself is honorable and God calls us to provide for our needs, the environment of a bar can be a place of spiritual danger, especially for a young woman who is already emotionally vulnerable. Scripture warns us, Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 and Don’t be deceived. Evil companionships corrupt good morals, 1 Corinthians 15:33. Late, weird hours, alcohol, and often immoral influences can tempt and entangle a heart that is seeking healing, and can hinder her walk and her witness. We also want to gently encourage you and her to bring every relationship before the Lord in purity. We do not know the nature of this breakup, but we know that God heals the brokenhearted best when we turn from any fornication or impurity and seek His wholeness first, guarding heart and body for marriage as God designed between one man and one woman for life.
We also hear your wise prayer to block it if it is not God's will. That is exactly the posture God desires. We are told, Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight, Proverbs 3:5-6 and I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you, Psalm 32:8. If this door is not from Him, we pray He will firmly close it, and if there is a better provision that allows her to honor her body, her studies, and her testimony, that He will open it.
We pray together for her now.
Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ we lift this precious daughter to You. You see her interview this hour, You see her scattered thoughts, her obsessing, her wounded heart from this breakup, and her financial pressure as she studies to be a nurse. Lord, we ask You to step in and direct every step and path. Give her wisdom and discernment right now. Your word says, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him, James 1:5. Pour out that wisdom on her. Give her a sound mind, for You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control, 2 Timothy 1:7. Heal her mind completely and quiet the obsessive thoughts. Keep her in perfect peace as her mind is stayed on You, Isaiah 26:3. Heal her broken heart and bind up her wounds, Psalm 147:3, and draw near to her as one who is brokenhearted, Psalm 34:18.
Lord, we ask that You guard her heart and thoughts with Your peace which surpasses all understanding, Philippians 4:6-7. If this bar job is not Your will, block it clearly. Make the interview fall through, remove the desire, or close the door in a way she cannot miss. If it is not a place where she can be a light without being dimmed by darkness, lead her away from it. Provide for her needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19. Raise up work that fits her calling as a future nurse, work that honors You, protects her purity and rest, and allows her to serve You. Help her to do all to Your glory, 1 Corinthians 10:31, and to honor You with her body which is a temple of Your Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Give her mother peace as she waits and trusts You. Help them both to rest in Your provision and Your timing. We ask all this in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus, amen.
We encourage you to continue to talk openly with your daughter about why you are concerned, not only as a rule but as a matter of protecting her heart in this tender season and honoring the Lord with her work. Pray with her for alternative work that uses her compassionate gifts, perhaps as a caregiver, nursing aide, hospital clerk, or tutoring, where the hours and environment are safer while she is in school all day. Encourage her to seek the Lord first for healing rather than rushing to fill the void from the breakup, and to renew her mind daily in the Word, Romans 12:2. God sees her diligence in school and her need, and He is faithful to direct her. Keep praying and trusting that He will make her paths straight.