Scripture tells us in James 5:16 that "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Prayer makes a difference. We need to take time every day to pray, especially for our family—our immediate family, extended family, and even our church family. Every person in your family has been given to you by God. They may not always act right; they may not always treat you right; they may not say the right thing all the time, but we still have a responsibility to lift them up in prayer. Even if the relationship is not what it needs to be, God can use your prayers to turn things around. Prayer is God's vehicle for change!
Sometimes family relationships can be the most difficult. There can be pain, hurt and offense; but when you pray, you are opening the door for God's healing. God doesn't want you to go through life carrying a load of heartache and offense. He doesn't want you to be a prisoner of pain. I talk to so many people who have been hurt by family members—someone walked out on them, a child's not living the right way—but one of the fastest ways to get free is to pray past the pain. Luke 6:28 tells us to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us. When we do the right thing, even when the wrong thing is happening, God will turn things around for our good and bless us beyond our wildest dreams.
I want to encourage you today, when you feel that impression in your heart to pray for a family member or when they come to your mind seemingly out of the blue, don't ignore it! Even if you haven't talked to them in years, that's how the Holy Spirit prompts you to pray for that person. You never know what may be going on in their life, or how your prayer may be the prayer that changes everything.
Remember, God loves you with an everlasting love. He wants to restore you. He wants to restore your family. He has a great future planned for you. Stand in faith, keep believing, and keep praying because there's nothing too difficult for Him!
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)