Is someone in your life making unhealthy or unwise decisions?
First, let me say that I see you, my friend. You’re anxious about their safety. Perhaps you’re holding your breath and hoping your phone doesn’t ring with bad news. Maybe your heart is broken because they’ve cut off the relationship or betrayed you and walked away. Whatever it is, it’s okay for you to be sad, even grieve their bad decisions or absence.
You might be feeling emotional right now. Please take a deep breath and hold it, my friend. Let your shoulders drop and exhale. Chances are, you’ve burned so much energy trying to figure out how to help them, and you may be discouraged, exhausted, or even financially drained.
It’s not your responsibility to rescue people who should be responsible for themselves. As long as you believe you can get them back on the right track, you may rob them from experiencing their need for God.
Do you need to release yourself from the belief it’s up to you to rescue or fix them?
Only Jesus saves; we cannot. Surrender is your only path to peace. Surrender is giving over what’s making you anxious, angry, or fearful of God.
Once you release yourself from the responsibility to save the person or people who mean so much to you, praying for them is a powerful act of love.
Praying for Your Loved Ones Begins with Remembering that God Loves Them More Than You
No matter where your loved one is right now, God loves them. While you wish they were making good decisions or close enough so you could hug them, rest in the assurance that God is right there, right now. With that in mind, let’s pray:
God, I am grateful You are right with _________________. I trust that You know more than I do about their lives and struggles. First, I pray for them to recognize Your great love for them and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for them. Then, I pray for them to realize their need for You. I pray for unrest in their spirit whenever they make unhealthy or unwise decisions. Remove the blinders from their eyes so they will turn away from their path and come to You.
In the meantime, I release my attempts to fix or control their situation. I will trust You and be patient while You work in their lives. I release my anxiety and the spirit of fear and accept Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*You can screenshot this prayer and keep it to refer to it again.
Five Faith Truths to Remember When You’re Praying for Loved Ones
- God is present and active in the life of your loved one, whether they (or you) can see it or not. He’s not going to give up on them! (Philippians 1:6)
- God knows exactly the journey that your loved one will take, including possible seasons of dark twists, scary turns, and hopefully, the circumstances that will lead them to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
- Keep praying! You never know how your prayers on any given day may change a choice, prevent a tragedy, or even draw their heart back to God. (James 5:16)
- Make sure there is at least ONE person in your life that you can be 100% honest about your situation and your struggle so that they can support you and hold you accountable to trusting God. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
- With God, ALL things are possible! But it’s up to God to determine what He will do, how He will do it, and if/when He will do it. (Matthew 19:26)
Experience Life-Transforming Power of Prayer
Pray Like This Bible Study by Barb Roose
As a Christian, you know you’re supposed to pray. But do you ever find yourself wrestling with any of these questions related to prayer?
Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?
Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?
Am I still praying if I read pre-written prayers?
If you’ve pondered these questions or others about prayer, my Pray Like Bible Study is for you.
Even if you’re a prayer warrior, Pray Like This sharpens your prayer focus and is a great resource for you to teach others about prayer.There’s a reason why Jesus was passionate about prayer and I want to show you how!