Inspirational Corner

ANGER: Father, I am coming to You because I am feeling angry. God, I know that You understand anger because Your Holy Scriptures guide us when we are feeling this way. I don't want my anger to become a foothold for more sin (Ephesians 4:26-27), but I am growing impatient with the presence of this lingering anger that follows me like a shadow. You acknowledge that anger is real and can happen to even the most faithful of believers. I know I should be slow to anger (James 1:19-20) and I am asking You to release this chokehold that has me in its grips. Lord, I promise that I will not knowingly sin when I am sensing anger in my spirit (Ephesians 4;26-27). I need Your Divine guidance to help wash away the emotions of irritability, resentment, and animosity toward elements of my estrangement that I have allowed to build within me. Thank You for Your loving presence and helping me to be a softer, more gentler follower through the power of Your Holy Spirit. 

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BETRAYAL: Father, I am coming to You because I feel betrayed. My child is aligning with people and situations that do not bear the hallmarks of holiness or righteousness. I feel that my child is walking away from so much of the teachings that I tried so hard to instill in them. I am experiencing betrayal through rebellion, defiance, anger, and sanctimony. It is hard for me to pray for this situation when I am praying for someone who has hurt me so deeply. But I know that You, Jesus, fully understand the ultimate betrayal. I also know that You are close to the brokenhearted and will rescue those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Father, this is why I need Your help to stay focused on You, and not on these overwhelming feelings of betrayal and abandonment. Thank You for not forsaking me in my time of sorrow.

 

CONFUSION: Father, I am coming to You because I am so confused by all of the discussions, and the terms, and the definitions and connotations behind the words that are being spoken around my estrangement. Father, my child says that I am an abuser, but Father, You know my heart and the truth. I was not an abuser, and if I did anything to harm my child, please forgive me for those mistakes. If I need to make amends to my child Father, please open the door for that to happen in Your will and timing and with Your full blessing. I know that You are not the Maker of confusion, but instead the Author of peace and order (I Corinthians 14:33). I am so confused as to how this happened to our family, and to my relationship with my child. I am overwhelmed and I do not know what to do. Help me to remember to lean not on my own understanding, but to direct my thoughts toward trusting You so that You can make this path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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DISAPPOINTMENT: Father, I am coming to You because I feel like my relationship with my child has been a disappointment to me, and also in Your holy sight. I feel that I have may have failed and I take ownership of my mistakes that I have made that have caused this damage in my lineage. I know that sin has played a role in this, which has led to these feelings of disappointment in myself and in the situation. Please help me to seek and know Your forgiveness, even if I cannot see restoration or sense renewal in this season. I know that I can pour out my heart to You, because You are my one safe refuge as I move through estrangement (Psalm 62:8). Only You can see all of the details and know the hearts of me and my child. Help me to trust in Your ways and be confident in knowing that this is not the end of Your story.

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EMPTINESS: Father, my spirit is feeling a sense of emptiness. Being a parent to my child was one of my life's greatest blessings and I give You the honor and praise for that gift. But now that gift is gone and I am feeling emptiness. I have allowed myself to become spiritually dry, emotionally numb, and mentally exhausted. I am in the desert place. Amidst these feelings of emptiness, I reach out to You, because my soul is crying out in thirst (Psalm 143:6). Father, I also know what You can do with emptiness. The empty tomb was not the absence of You, but instead was evidence that You have triumphed over the grave. Father, I ask that You bring a triumph from this emptiness to this situation with my child because only You can take what seems hopeless and use it for Your victory.

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FRUSTRATION: Father, I am feeling an overwhelming sense of frustration. I am frustrated because there are lies and deceit that have affected my life with my child (Genesis 8:21). And though I have tried to raise my child to be an upright person who walks in Your ways (Proverbs 22:6), I still may have done things that have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). I am frustrated because I am not able to return righteousness and peace to this situation. Therefore, I come to You because You are the restorer of peace and righteousness (I Peter 5:10). Lord, parenting is hard, especially when my child resists You and me. Help me to move out of frustration into a season of patience, seeking wisdom, and to trust Your plans for their heart and mine.

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GRIEF: Father, I have lost one of the most beloved things in my life: My child. I know that You understand the toll that this profound loss can take on the heart of a believer. I take comfort and strength knowing that Mary, too, had her relationship with her beloved child severed because of the evil in this world. Lord, I miss my child. I miss the person that they are and I wish that I could undo the damage and restore this relationship. Lord, my heart is the heaviest it has ever been with this loss. I beg You to make Your presence known to me, to be beside me to comfort me, hold me close, and give me Your peace that passes understanding. Help me to shelter under the shadows of angels' wings as I take emotional rest and trust Your promises even when I don’t see the way.​

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HOPELESSNESS: Father, I am feeling hopeless. I know that every day is a new day, a new chance that the prodigal might come home. But so much time has gone by, and with each new rising and setting of the sun, the hope that was once within me is starting to fade. Help me to shift my hope that my child returns home, to hoping that my child returns to You (2 Peter 3:9). Help me to pray sincere prayers, not only for my hope to be restored, but that You work in their lives in favorable and abundant ways (Lamentations 3:22-23). Lord, my heart longs for my loved one to return to You and to our family. Please soften their heart, open their eyes, and bring restoration. Help me to trust Your timing and lean on Your mercy. 

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ISOLATION: Father, I am feeling left out, discarded, and isolated. My child aligns with others in my family, and they have removed me from the lineage that I used to enjoy. Despite feeling so alone in this latter chapter of my life, I know that  You have not forsaken me, and You never will (Deuteronomy 31:6). You promise that even though others forsake me, Your presence is never far from me (Matthew 28:20). I can no longer fight the tides of misunderstanding about who I am or trying to explain the intentions behind things that I have said that were misunderstood. Instead, I have just been banished and the loneliness is overwhelming. I feel as if I am walking alone the valley of the shadow of death, but then You remind me that You are with me and bring me comfort (Psalm 23). Remind me that You are near, that You know my heart, and that I belong to You. Fill the silence with Your peace, and help me find hope and connection again.

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JEALOUSY: Father, I am feeling jealous and envious. I am jealous of those who get to enjoy the presence of my children. I am envious that they are deemed worthy, whereas I am considered irredeemable and unforgivable. I am also jealous of others who don't know the pain of estrangement. I see their pictures and hear their stories, and while I am sincerely happy for them and their families, I am envious that I cannot have those experiences anymore with my own children. But I know that Your Holy Scriptures teaches us that love does not envy (I Corithinians 13:4). Help me to replace my envy with love, love for others, and love for those who love my children when I cannot. Lord, I confess my heart is heavy with envy. Help me to trust Your plan for my life and celebrate others without comparison. Fill me with peace, contentment, and confidence in Your love.

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KARMA (VENGEANCE/REPAYMENT): Father, I know that karma is not a word found in Your Holy Scripture. It is the carnal hope that what goes around will come around, that my child's decision to go no contact will eventually come with negative consequences. However, I know that retribution, vengeance, and repayment are worldly endeavors. God, I know that Your nature is to see, and to judge, but then You forgive and You restore, which is the better and more righteous mindset. We cannot escape the Biblical principle of reaping what we have sown (Galatians 6:7), and if I have sown in sin, I humbly repent and ask for forgiveness of those mistakes. Lord, help me release control and trust not in karma, but in Your grace to restore peace and make all things right.

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LOVE: Father, I have had a hard time showing and receiving love since my estrangement. I have fallen, and sometimes I have accepted the narrative that I am unworthy of love, belonging, and acceptance, But Father, I know that these are lies. And even though there may be an absence, or distorted representation of love in my life right now, I know that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Lord, I still have love in my heart and I pray to you that my heart not be hardened by the overwhelming emotions of estrangement. Help me to realize that love still exists within me, and help me to find ways to show that love to others, even when it is not being shown to me (Matthew 22:37-39). Help me to rediscover and renew a love for my prodigal child that can eclipse the pain. As their parent, I recognize that prayer is an important element of spiritual warfare. Help me to pray with great intent, in love for my child's restoration, protection, and guidance by Your mighty hand. 

 

MISUNDERSTANDING. Father, I have been misunderstood and I don't know how to correct it. There are words that I have said that were not received the way that I meant it. There are actions I took that were misinterpreted to have a completely different intention than what was in my heart. I know that You can empathize with my human weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). I know that You know my heart, even when others do not care to listen to my honest explanation or heartfelt apologies. Help me to remember that I am to seek Your approval, and not the approval of people, even if those people include my beloved child (Galatians 1:10). Lord, when I feel unseen or misunderstood, remind me that You know me fully and love me deeply. Help me respond with grace and rest in Your understanding (I Peter 2:23).​

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NARCISSISM: Father, I have been called a narcissist and this insult hurts my soul. As a follower of You, the traits of narcissism are far from the fruits of the Spirit that should be evident in my life. You ask us to bless others when they insult and revile us, especially if it is because of Your namesake (Matthew 5:11-12). But Father, this is so difficult when the lies that are said about me are untrue, won't be discussed, and have no opportunity for redemption. Help me to be reminded that when falsehoods are being said about me to understand that You stated that Satan is the source of lies (John 8:44). Help me to remember that being called a narcissist is not a truthful evaluation of my character, but rather another variation of a story from the same evil entity that tempted man in the very beginning (Genesis 1). Lord, expose every lie I’ve believed, and that others have falsely believed, and replace it with Your truth. Help me stand strong in the identity You’ve given me and silence the enemy’s accusations by the power of Your Word.

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OPPRESSION: Father, silence is being weaponized against me, and I am being silenced. But I know that You are the refuge for the oppressed and a respite in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9). My heart sincerely had all intentions to bear with each other and find ways to forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. And I want to be forgiven by my children as the Lord has forgiven me (Colossians 3:13). Instead, my children distance themselves, and I am sensing oppression in the middle of this silence because of how they walked away from me, and the family, using silence as a hurtful tactic. My words are irritants to them, regardless of what I say. I hold fast to the promise that You will intervene for those who are experiencing oppression (Psalm 103:6). Lord, You see my pain and every pressure I face. Be my defender, my strength, and my hope when I feel silenced within the silence.

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PAIN: Father, the pain of being estranged is almost unbearable. My life has been upended, challenged with feelings of loss and grief, unworthiness and isolation, and being irredeemable and unforgiven. I have even felt shame and embarrassment that my family's events have led to the separation between me and my children. Father, I know that ou have seen me in the darkest places. And though I may not have felt Your presence there, You assure me that You were there for me and that I should not be dismayed because You are my God. You assure me that You will strengthen and help you, and that You will uphold me with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41;10). Remind me that Your grace is sufficient and that Your power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Lord, please be my unwavering light and steadfast strength in my absolute darkest hours.

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QUESTIONING: Father, I am questioning the purpose of this estrangement in my life. I believed that all things work together for my good, and I am failing to understand how this is good, or why I deserve this. My issue is that if You are so good, then why is this evil allowed to flourish in my family? You are the Author of forgiveness, but what have I done to deserve this overwhelmingly painful punishment? When I try to understand this, it troubles me so deeply that it makes me question my faith in You. But then You call me to Your sanctuary (Psalm 73:16-17) where I am called to trust. You ask me to consider that perhaps You needed my child alone, to teach lessons that only You could teach, and to reveal Your presence to them in a way that may not happen if I was aware or involved in one of their trials. Lord, Your ways are not my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that is hard to trust sometimes, particularly when I am being asked to surrender to Your will in this horribly painful season. Lord, I come to You with a heavy heart and many questions I cannot answer. When the pain feels too great and Your ways seem unclear, help me to trust Your love and perfect wisdom. Give me peace to rest in Your grace, even when I don’t understand the path before me. Strengthen my faith to hold on to You, knowing that You work all things for good in Your time. Carry me through this season and remind me that Your presence is my greatest comfort.

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REJECTION: Father, I am coming to You because I am feeling rejected. Jesus, I know that You know what it's like to feel rejected because You bore my sin on the cross. Right now, I am feeling rejected by my own child and my heart is breaking. I desperately need Your comfort as I am feeling like I am tossed out like trash. I feel that being a parent was one of Your greatest blessings, and some how this blessing is in a state of disrepair, which makes me feel that I am unworthy. If I have done something to have harmed this relationship with my child, please forgive me. Please help to bring reconciliation and renewal to my heart, and also to the heart of my child. I Peter 2:4 says "As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him." Help me to remember that I am precious to You, even when my emotions and voices within the world tell me that I am disposable. Thank You for loving me and reassuring me of your unfailing promises.

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SHAME: Father, I have felt shamed, embarrassed, and disgraced that my family is broken. I am also being told that this is all my fault and that I should bear these feelings for the rest of my earthly days. The thought of this is overwhelming and I am unsure if I can endure this load for the remainder of my days. But I know that You understand shame, because You endured the cross and its scorn and shame. You were led into the streets, and mocked and ridiculed. No one believed that You were the Son of God as You were led naked, bruised, and bleeding to Calvary. Lord, thank You for coming to earth to understand how profound the feelings of shame can be, and for the fact that You took that shame so that we can live free from it (Hebrews 12:2). You promise us that if anyone believes in You, we will never be put to shame. I know that this means that I may experience feelings of shame and disgrace, but that these judgments are worldly impositions and can not and will not be eternal (Romans 10:11). Lord, remove the stigma of being an estranged parent, take my shame, and fill me with Your love and forgiveness. Help me walk confidently in Your grace.

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TENSION:  Father, I am feeling tension and stress to a degree that I am not used to. The estrangement from my children is causing me to be anxious and having anxious episodes. I am replaying their words, our words, our conversations in my mind. I am rereading texts looking for clues. I am struggling because this one area of stress is taking over other areas of my life, including my ability to sleep, my ability to enjoy other relationships, and my self-worth. Lord, I am anxious about everyone and everything related to this situation. Your Word tells me that I shouldn't be anxious and I should give my cares to you (Phillippians 4:6-7).  I know that lessening the stress and trying to find peace begins with trusting in You (Isaiah 26:3) and even if my faith and patience wane, Your remain faithful because Your presence, Your promises, and Your presence do not rely on my feelings (2 Timothy 2:13). Lord, calm my mind and ease my heart. Help me to not let today’s stress spill over and steal the joy of the blessings You’ve already given me.

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UNCERTAINTY: Father, I bear the grief of someone who has lost someone so precious to death. Yet, my child is still here. It is a profound grief, one that I wear like a wet musty cloak around my heart. I try to ignore it, and most days I can get through. But Father, when you're estranged, there might still be a chance for reconciliation. And because I believe that You are the restorer of peace and the healer of relationships, there is this part of me that is hoping that You will deliver on that promise. Father, I don't like being estranged, and I don't like the uncertainty that comes with not knowing if I will ever see them again, or my grandchildren (if you have them), or how those conversations would go. Also Father, if we were to reconnecct, would it ever be the same as it was before? There are so many questions that spin in my head like an amusement park ride. I know that I have to lean into Your Will. You say that You will instruct me and teach me in the ways that I should go, and that You will counsel me and keep Your loving eye on me
(Psalms 32:8). Father, this is exactly what I need. Lord, I don’t know what’s ahead, but I trust that You do—guide me, steady me, and help me walk by faith, not fear.

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VULNERABILITY: Father, I feel like I'm standing on shifting sand. I have other relationships that I fear will also go no contact. I feel that my mental and emotional fitness has been challenged to a point of weakness. It is hard for me to pray and trust because the present and future seems to be filled with such uncertainty. I know that You empathize with my weaknesses and that I should approach Your throne with confidence (Hebrews 4:15-16). But sometimes, I can't even find the words to put on all of the feelings that I am feeling. Help me remember to be still and know that You are still God in all my trials (Psalm 46:10). Help me to cling to the trustworthy Solid Rock of Christ (Psalm 18:2). Please be patient with me as I sit in the boat amidst the storm, with waves crashing all around me, and fear of capsizing. I know that You will go before me and calm the storm with Your reassuring words (Mark 4:37-41). Lord, in my weakness and vulnerability, I come to You. Strengthen me with Your grace and remind me that Your power is made perfect.

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WITHHOLDING: Father, there is a part of me that holds back. I hold back prayers that need to be prayed. I hold back showing others love because of my own hurt. And I know that there is a part of me that may not want a relationship back even if my prodigal were to return, just because I have been so hurt. I recognize that estrangement has affected my capacity to love, and I know that diminishing of my capacity can affect my faith. Lord, I need help to be bold and not withhold good from those to whom it is due, especially when it is in my power to act (Proverbs 3:27). I know that You have given me a power to love and the presence of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Lord, heal the places in me that hurt so much I’ve forgotten how to love freely. Restore my capacity to give and receive love without fear. Help me not to withhold love from others, even when I feel broken, because Your love never runs dry.

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YEARNING: Father, there is a deep sense of yearning to reclaim and rebuild my relationships with my children. I yearn for peace and I have tremendous thirst for reconciliation. My soul finds it difficult to go through this life with such a depth of yearning for something that may never come to pass. Lord, help me to replace my yearning for forgiveness, reconciliation, and renewal with yearning for Your peace, Your love, and Your will. Jesus, in Your times of the most profound anguish as You faced the cross, You prayed more earnestly and with more yearning (Luke 22:44). Father, remind me to pray like that and to yearn for the things that You would have for me to learn, to experience, and to love (Phillipians 4:6). And when I cannot find the words, please intercede for me with Your groanings (Romans 8:26). Lord, You see the cry beneath my words—the ache, the longing, the hope. I lay my yearning before You, trusting that You hear the prayers too deep for language. Meet me here.

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If you need prayer, there are several resources avaialable to you by phone or text. Parents In Purgatory is not associated with any of these ministries, and is not responsible for the quality of care that you receive. We simply provide this information obtained through a Google search in case you need pastoral care or a prayer partner.

CBN Prayer Center (700 Club) Open 24/7. Call: 1‑800‑700‑7000

 

HIS Radio Prayer Line Available 24 hours. Call or text: 866‑987‑7729

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Jesus Calls International Prayer Line Available anytime. Call: 1‑855‑537‑8722 

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Somebody Cares / Prayer & Crisis Referral Network Nationwide prayer and crisis response, available 24/7.
Call: 855‑459‑2273 (CARE)