Prayer is undeniably unconquerable. It’s such a powerful tool, in fact, that God tells us to be faithful in prayer. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Does that mean to be as faithful to prayer as you are to your husband or wife? Yes. If we seek God daily, then we are devoting time to Him in the sacred, quiet moments of our lives; it’s in these moments when the prayers begin to spill from our mouths.

Who Do You Pray For?

So, who comes to mind? Is it that one immediate family member that has lost their way? I know that’s it’s hard to see the light amidst the darkness of a circumstance, but don’t give up on seeing the prodigals return.

Praying for a family member who has lost their way is one of the greatest acts of love you can do for them, especially if you’re not communicating for the time being. Prayer is a dedication of time. Prayer is an act of love for someone. Prayer is a cry to the Father that you alone are powerless apart from the Father’s intervening, making prayer the only way for hope to rise. And sometimes, prayer really is the only way. “And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:29).

Putting Aside The Pain

I know it’s difficult to do. Sometimes, we actually have to put aside our own pain, our own anger, pride and bitterness, to press into praying for a loved one who has perhaps wronged us in many ways. Though it’s difficult to put aside pain, it’s what God desires for us to do. “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28).

You may even feel numb about the situation, to where you feel no matter what, things will remain the same. Perhaps they were the single thread of the tapestry that broke your family apart; in that case, what in the world can praying alone in a room accomplish?

God Hears You

But what if we focused more on having faith in God than the outcome? “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). We need to rest in the confidence that our God hears us. He is for us. The father of the prodigal son didn’t lose his faith that his son would come back. Neither should we.

“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” —Luke 15:32

Will you contribute to pray for your family members, including those who have hurt you or are estranged? God encourages us to be faithful in prayer, so never give up on those loved ones you care for.

You may also be interested in Forgiveness In Families: How To Heal After Being Hurt By Loved Ones