Prayer For Unbelieving Members of the Family
Jesus Also Had Unbelieving Family Members
Do you, me, have family members who do not believe in Jesus? If so, we are in good company. So did Jesus. And I think this is meant to give us hope.
“More pain than we know must have been behind Jesus’s words, ‘a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.’”
According to the apostle John, “not even his brothers believed in him” (John 7:5). That’s incredible. Those who had lived with Jesus for 30 years really did not know him. Not one of Jesus’s brothers is mentioned as a disciple during his pre-crucifixion ministry. But after his resurrection and ascension, there they are in the upper room worshiping him as God (Acts 1:14).
Why didn’t they believe? And what made them change?
A Perfect Brother
The Bible doesn’t answer the first question. But I’ll bet it was difficult to have Jesus for a brother.
First, Jesus would have been without peer in intellect and wisdom. He was astounding temple rabbis by age 12 (Luke 2:42, 47). A sinful, fallen, gifted sibling can be a hard act to follow. Imagine a perfect, gifted sibling.
Second, Jesus’s consistent and extraordinary moral character must have made him odd and unnerving to be around. His siblings would have grown increasingly self-conscious around him, aware of their own sinful, self-obsessed motives and behavior, while noting that Jesus didn’t seem to exhibit any himself. For sinners, that could be hard to live with.
Third, Jesus was deeply and uniquely loved by Mary and Joseph. How could they not have treated him differently? They knew he was the Lord. Imagine their extraordinary trust in and deference to Jesus as he grew older. No doubt the siblings would have perceived a dimension to the relationship between the oldest child and their parents that was different from what they experienced.“Don’t give up praying for unbelieving family members. Don’t take their resistance as the final word. They may yet believe.”
And when swapping family stories it would have been hard to match a star appearing at your brother’s birth.
Jesus out-classed his siblings in every category. How could anyone with an active sin nature not resent being eclipsed by such a phenom-brother? Familiarity breeds contempt when pride rules the heart.
More pain than we know must have been behind Jesus’s words, “a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household” (Matthew 13:57).
Power Through Weak Witness
So as we assess the role our weak, stumbling witness plays in our family members’ unbelief, let’s remember Jesus — not even a perfect witness guarantees that loved ones will see and embrace the gospel. We must humble ourselves and repent when we sin. But let’s remember that the god of this world and indwelling sin is what blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).
The story of Jesus’s brothers can actually give us hope for our loved ones. At the time his brothers claimed that Jesus was “ his mind” (Mark 3:21), it must have appeared very unly that they would ever become his disciples. But eventually they did! And not only followers, but leaders and martyrs in the early church.
The God who said, “Let light shine darkness,” shone in their hearts “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of” their brother, Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:6).
“Jesus does not promise that every family member of a Christian will believe, but he does promise family division. We can trust him when it happens.”
So take heart! Don’t give up praying for unbelieving family members. Don’t take their resistance as the final word. They may yet believe, and be used significantly in the kingdom!
And while they resist, or if they have died apparently unbelieving, we can trust them to the Judge of all the earth who will be perfectly just (Genesis 18:25). Jesus does not promise that every parent, sibling, or child of a Christian will believe, but he does painfully promise that some families will divide over him (Matthew 10:34–39). We can trust him when it happens.
His Brothers Believed
It is moving to hear James refer to his brother as “our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1). Can you imagine what this phrase meant for James? “The Lord of glory” had once slept beside him, ate at his dinner table, played with his friends, spoke to him a brother, endured his unbelief, paid the debt of his sin, and then brought him to faith.
It may have taken 20 to 30 years of faithful, prayerful witness by the Son of God, but the miracle occurred: his brothers believed. May the Lord of glory grant the same grace to our beloved unbelievers.
Источник: //www.desiringgod.org/articles/jesus-also-had-unbelieving-family-members
Powerful Prayers for Family Protection, Unity & Strength
Family Unity. It is a treasure to us all, and something very precious to each of us.
The Lord blesses us with family members to lead, counsel, love and take care of, and in exchange, our family does the same for us. Praying for our family is something we should do daily.
Whether someone you love needs God’s grace in a hard situation, or you simply want to bless his or her walk in life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
If the need for prayer and protection for your family and loved ones is what you are seeking most, whether in your own life, or in the life of someone you love, let us pray for you at the holiest place on earth, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
We have faith that sending your prayer to the place where our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life for us will help your request be granted! It is our honor and privilege to be a prayer warrior for you, and to ask the Lord to watch over you, protect you, and keep you, always.
Please submit your prayer request today.
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31
Prayer for Family Unity
Lord, I want to thank You for this precious family of mine. For the talents and good things that You have given each of us. Please keep us united, and our bond strong as the days pass. Please guide us, protect us and equip us to do Your will each and every day. Thank You for all that You are, and all that You have given us. My heart is forever grateful!
Prayer for Protection Over Family Members
Lord, I ask for protection and safety over my spouse, my children, my parents, my family members and myself today. Please lead us with Your mighty hands today and always. Deliver us from any enemy and evil that try to hinder our way.
Do not let the ways of the enemy blind our eyes. We know that You are for us, so that no one could ever stop us. Please watch over us and guide us all safely throughout this day, so that we may all arrive safely back home, Father. Amen.
Prayer for a Troubled Family Relationship
Heavenly Father, there is a war going on in the souls of many of my family members. I will not be silent about this, and I pray that you will look after them. I also come to you today to pray for the salvation of my family as well. Lord, may my family know You.
I pray that they will learn to crave You just as I do. I pray that they will learn to stand strong in the face of trials and tribulations in life. When people knock them down, I pray that they stand up even stronger in You than ever before.
I pray that they show love instead of revenge on those who do not agree with them. Give me strength to persevere through any troubles that come my way today. It is time to rise above the sin that comes at me and to that of my family members.
It is in Your precious name I pray these things.
Prayer for Grandchildren
Heavenly Father, You have blessed me with precious grandchildren, and I am ever so grateful! I pray for these little souls, Lord. I also want to thank you for my own children. I have raised them up to praise You, and to look to You in all things.
I lift up my grandchildren to You today, Lord. These little ones are precious gems in Your eyes, as well as in mine, and that of our family. Please watch over them each and every day. Keep them safe, and guide them in all that they do.
I ask these things in Your precious name. Amen.
Prayer for Your Family’s Strength
Please shine your light upon my family today, Lord. Give us strength to overcome all of the difficulties that we are currently dealing with, and protect us against any and all problems we may encounter in future days.
Lord, please bring us together as we are meant to be. May the love that binds us only grow stronger as we fulfill the path and desires You have laid out before each of us.
Grant my family forgiveness for any sins we have committed against one another. Amen.
Prayer for a Healthy Pregnancy
Thank you Father for the little baby that is about to be born. Lord, I pray that You would protect this unborn child that is being knit together in his/her mother’s womb, and I pray Lord that You would give grace for a safe and healthy delivery at the right time.
May this baby grow up to know and love the Lord Jesus, which will make him/her wise unto salvation.
I pray for Your protection and grace for this little baby who is shortly to take his/her place in this world, and I ask that he/she may grow in wisdom and understanding.Guard and protect both mother and child as the day for delivery draws ever closer, and keep them from all the perils and uncertainties in this journey. Amen.
Verses:
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
Источник: //www.holylandprayer.com/prayer_for/prayers-for-our-family/
7 Prayers For My Family
I just finished praying for a friend of mine who is participating in a revival soon. Satan is on the move to make sure this revival doesn’t happen, but Satan being the “Great Deceiver” has deceived himself.
I know God wants this revival to happen and it is time for war! Through prayer and supplication I know that God will make sure this revival happens! If our God can make a revival happen for many people, He can also make a revival happen in just one person’s heart.
Here are 7 prayers that you can pray for your family, whether it is for revival of those lost or the protection of those in your home.
Protection
“I know Who goes before me. I know Who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side.” (God Of Angel Armies, Chris Tomlin)
Dear Lord,
I ask for protection over my spouse, my children, and myself today. Lead us with Your mighty hands today. Deliver us from any enemy that tries to harm us. We know that You are for us, so that no one could ever stop us. (Ref.
Romans 8:31) Please guide us all safely throughout this day, so that we may all arrive safely back home, Father. You are Great, Powerful, Strong, Mighty, Awe-inspiring, Amazing and AWESOME! Be with us all this day.
I love you, Father! Amen
Revival
“You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Merciful Father,
You have been so patient with my own brother. He says he believes in You, but his actions still say differently. He has not surrendered everything to You, Lord.
Lord I pray that he would sincerely seek You with his entire being! I praise Your Name because You have allowed him to live another day in hope that he will return to You. Father, I pray that You do everything necessary to bring him back. If he must lose his job, so be it.
If he must go through health issues to find You, so be it. Father, whatever it takes, please bring him to You. Better to suffer immensely in this world to find You, then to suffer eternally in hell without You. Father, I cannot imagine heaven without any of my family.
I love them all so dearly! Please, Lord, bring your long, lost son home! Bring a revival in his heart! I love You! Amen
Prayers For Grandchildren
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
O Lord,
You have blessed me with enough years to enjoy my precious grandchildren! Thank you, Father! I pray for these little ones, Lord. I will be crossing the finish line of heaven in a short while and I pray that Your Name will be glorified in everything I do with them. I thank you for my own children.
I have raised them up to praise You, Father! I am filled with joy to see them reading the Bible to my grandchildren. O Lord, it brings me to tears of joy to hear those tiny voices singing “Jesus Loves Me”.
I cannot contain the tears for my cup is overflowing with joy! I praise Your Name! I lift up my grandchildren to You today, Lord. These little ones are precious gems in Your eyes. Watch over them and lead them to the finish line that I will cross soon.I want to be there as they do cross it to see Jesus embrace them and say, “well done!” Father, You are worthy of so much more than I can give, but I offer up this prayer in faithfulness to You. I love You, Father! Amen
Blended Families
“All the hearts who are content and all who feel unworthy and all who hurt with nothing left, will know that You are holy.” (All The Poor And Powerless, All Sons And Daughters)
My Lord,
Much hurt and turmoil has ripped apart what man should never have separated. (Ref. Mark 10:9) I thank You, Lord that You sustained me through the storm of divorce and brought me safely to the other side.
Sin is the reason for my blended family and I pray right now that sin will affect it no more! Lord, I pray for my ex and her soon-to-be husband. I pray that you would watch over them both and guide them back to You. I pray for the children they will have together. I pray that they would raise them in the church.
I pray that their children will come to know You, Lord. Father, I pray for my children, Lord. I pray that they learn to stay strong in You when they miss me and can’t have me.
I pray that you would shower them with love and affection! Thank you for Your comforting word, “He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet You by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17b) Thank you for quieting my stormy spirit when I ache for my kids. Your love is unending and it never fails me.
Lord, words cannot express how thankful I am for Your love and compassion for me. Be with my entire family, Lord. For those that live in the flesh, I pray that they would turn and seek You. Father, I need You more than ever before to be strong and courageous for You. May my life show clearly how much I love Jesus! I love You, Lord! Amen
It’s Time For War!
“Everybody with your fists raised high, let me see your battle cry tonight! Stand beside or step aside from the frontline!” (Frontline, Pillar)
“Everybody with your fists raised high, let me see your battle cry tonight! Stand beside or step aside from the frontline!”
Dear Lord,
There is a war going on for the souls of my family. I will not be silent about this! Lord, I pray for the salvation of my family. Lord, my children know You. I pray that they will learn to crave You without me talking with them first. I pray that they will learn to stand strong in the face of the storms in life.
When people knock them down, I pray that they stand up even stronger in You than before. I pray that they show love instead of revenge on those who hate them. I pray that their lives will show Jesus to this dark world. We are in a battle and I will not back down! I commit this day to You, Lord.
Give me strength to persevere through any troubles that come my way today. It is time to rise above the sin that comes at me and shove it to the wayside. Sin has no place in my heart or mind, Lord! If I fall today, I pray for Your patience with me.I am a sinner and I do not want to sin! I praise Your Name, Lord! I love You! Amen
Are You Sitting Down?
“With full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20b-21)
Loving Lord,
The passing of my mother last night is grieving me. Lord, how do I tell my children that their grammy is in Heaven? I can shower them with love and affection immensely, but I cannot take the pain away from their tears. I need You now more than ever, Father.
I keep thinking about how grieved Your own heart must have been when You watched Your own Son shed His blood on the cross for us all. Father, I am so sorry that my sin helped drive those nails into His hands and feet. Lord, I ask that You give me the words to speak as I deliver this news to my babies.
I know that my mother is in Heaven and that makes me so hopeful, but the pain is still here. I pray that You would wrap Your arms around me, Lord. I need Your affection so badly right now. Give me “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7a) Prepare the hearts and minds of my little ones, Lord.
This will be one of the toughest days of my life. May Your Name be glorified this day. I love You! Amen
Fellowship Of Believers
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrew 10:24-25)
Father,
I have an awesome family of believers to call my brothers and sisters! I thank you for them all. Through our unity we are strong through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Father, I pray that as the Day does draw near we continue to shine the light of Jesus to this hurting world, even to each other. Lord, sometimes it hurts more when a fellow brother/sister hurts me. Lord, give me compassion to forgive them as I should. Sin is to blame, end of story.
Not one member of Your church is faultless, Father. I love my church family dearly! I also pray that You would soften the hearts of any that may have callouses starting. Father, rip those callouses away layer by layer. We all need to let go and let You be in control.Father, bless my fellow brothers and sisters this day! May it be a day of rejoicing in You through every single thing that we experience! I love You! Amen
Conclusion
Whether it is your own family or your church family, there are many things that we can all pray for, for the wellbeing of them all. Lift up your loved ones today! Pray for them! May God bless you as you live a life worthy of the calling!
Parents Prayers for Their Children
Resources – The Holy Bible, English Standard Version “Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. video “Whom Shall I Fear?” by Chris Tomlin.
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Источник: //www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/7-prayers-for-my-family/
Four Truths for Parents of Unbelieving Children
Ministering at The Village is one of the most joyous things I’ve ever done. I love getting to walk with people through different seasons in their lives. It is a privilege to rejoice with them in the good times and weep with them in the bad times.
Due to our location, the most common demographic of people I’m around are couples with children. I don’t have kids yet, so they don’t ask me about how to get their newborns to sleep through the night or whether they should home-school.
But they do frequently ask one particular theological question, and it’s one that is worth exploring.
As parents watch their children get older, fear often creeps in regarding the child’s salvation. This fear may arise because their 7-year-old develops a flair for lying, their middle schooler suddenly starts acting out, or their high schooler experiments with alcohol. The parent begins to worry and wonder: Is my child saved? Will my child ever be saved?
Other questions soon follow: Didn’t I take them to church? Didn’t I teach them right from wrong? What happens if they are not elect? Did I fail as a parent? Why are my kids rebellious if I raised them in a good home? Doesn’t God love my kids?
If you can identify with these fears over a wayward child, I want to offer a few pastoral insights into why this may be happening and give four tips on how to think through this issue:
1. God wants you to know that salvation is from the Lord
Salvation is not the result of good or bad parenting. God will save whom He wills. Sometimes He saves from great, godly families and sometimes He saves from broken, worldly families.
Regardless of the family, we are all born completely depraved, and it is just as miraculous for God to save children from “good” families as it is for Him to save children from “bad” families.
There is no need to beat yourself up with thoughts of, “If I had just done (blank), then my child would be a believer.” All parenting involves failure, and there are always things that could have been done better or situations that should have been dealt with differently.
That said, you could do everything right and still end up with rebellious children. Repent when repentance is needed but don’t put the burden of being your child’s savior on your shoulders.
2. God wants you to know that you can’t guarantee your child’s salvation, but you can trust salvation to Him
This is a tough truth, and I almost didn’t put it in this post because it is so hard to hear. Many people reject this truth by citing Proverbs 22:6, which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
” The book of Proverbs belongs to a genre of literature that uses pithy statements to illuminate a general truth. But proverbs are not promises to be claimed as universally true in every case. It is generally true that families who teach their kids about Jesus raise kids who become believers.
However, it is not universally true. The proverbs provide general wisdom, not universal promises.
3. God wants you to persevere in prayer for your child’s salvation
Keep praying for your child! God might save your child in a week, a month, a year, in 10 years or on their deathbed. We just don’t know. But never lose hope. ly, your child will outlive you, meaning they may even come to salvation after you have passed away.
Your own salvation is a great mystery and evidence of the infinite mercy of God. Let that realization keep you steadfastly hoping for your child’s salvation. Plead with God for the salvation of your child’s soul as long as you have breath.
Never stop interceding, and never believe all hope is lost.
4. God wants to break you of “kid idolatry” so you anchor your hope in Him
There is no fear fear for your children. For most people, spouses and children are the most important things in the world. Perhaps this is why Jesus specifically mentions how we must love Him more than our families if we are to be His disciples (Luke 14:26). God might not only be pursuing your children but you, as well.
God will have no other gods before Him, and by allowing your children to be rebellious, He may be teaching you to let go of the one thing you love more than Him. He may be teaching you to anchor your hope and your joy in Christ alone. If your greatest hope is in your kids, your emotions will be a constant roller coaster.
When the kids are doing well, you’ll be happy. When they are walking in sin, you will be miserable. God wants you to trust that He always does what is good so that you have a firm place to anchor your soul.
This form of trust leaves you free to pray for and hope for your children from a place of faith instead of a place of fear.Never feel that all is lost. Continue loving and interceding for your kids. But recognize that God might be pursuing you, as well as your children. Pray that He may save your child and pray that, as you relinquish control of your child’s salvation, you might grow to love and trust our great Savior more deeply.
Источник: //www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/articles/four-truths-for-parents-of-unbelieving-children
