My sons struggle spiritually because of woundedness, their father's atheism/humanism and step-mother's Wiccan/pagan beliefs, and for their personal disappointments. There is a history of abuse, denial, and much manipulation. They also have a younger half-brother who is effected by their father and stepmother.
I also have a best friend who was raised Christian, but has mental health and neurological problems that interfere with his faith. To further this challenge, his father is a staunch Calvinist who has told him God doesn't want him because he doesn't have peace and he cannot be saved. I cannot imagine a worse thing for a father to tell their child, grown or not. His father's attitude and compassion toward him seems to be effected by his believe that my friend is unchosen by God. This causes him great pain.
So, I've been praying a lot over the spiritual wellbeing of my sons and my best friend. I believe that God touched their lives when they were younger. All of them have prayed for salvation and accepted Jesus as their savior. However, they have been dealt heavy blows and their faith has suffered for it.
This morning I had a daily Bible verse that I receive in email, and it was exactly the kind of verse I need to be able to focus on right now. I decided to read the whole chapter. At the end of it Paul shares what his prayer for this church is, and it is probably the exact prayer that I need for my boys, their brother, and my friend. I have also been trying to pray for my ex and his wife, and some of my family members.
Ephesians 3: 14-21
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
I have also prayed that God would increase their faith, and I have prayed Ez 36:26
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
I also have a best friend who was raised Christian, but has mental health and neurological problems that interfere with his faith. To further this challenge, his father is a staunch Calvinist who has told him God doesn't want him because he doesn't have peace and he cannot be saved. I cannot imagine a worse thing for a father to tell their child, grown or not. His father's attitude and compassion toward him seems to be effected by his believe that my friend is unchosen by God. This causes him great pain.
So, I've been praying a lot over the spiritual wellbeing of my sons and my best friend. I believe that God touched their lives when they were younger. All of them have prayed for salvation and accepted Jesus as their savior. However, they have been dealt heavy blows and their faith has suffered for it.
This morning I had a daily Bible verse that I receive in email, and it was exactly the kind of verse I need to be able to focus on right now. I decided to read the whole chapter. At the end of it Paul shares what his prayer for this church is, and it is probably the exact prayer that I need for my boys, their brother, and my friend. I have also been trying to pray for my ex and his wife, and some of my family members.
Ephesians 3: 14-21
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
I have also prayed that God would increase their faith, and I have prayed Ez 36:26
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
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