CONFLICT BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN

And he arose and came to his father.  But when he was still a great way off his father saw him
and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him (Luke 15:20)

Holy Spirit, comfort me now, because I desire to hold my child like the father held the prodigal son.  But, there are no hugs or kisses, only enmity and distrust.  I’m distressed, Lord, to have the knowledge of Your love and peace, but to not live in it.

Father God, You said in Your Word that You will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.  I plead with You to turn our hearts toward each other.  Grant us the ability to not only forgive, but be reconciled.  Meld our hearts in one accord by Your Spirit, forgetting each other’s shortcomings.

If I have sinned against my child and provoked them to discouragement, I plead for Your forgiveness.  Give me the courage to admit my fault to my child and be restored.  May my speech be with grace, seasoned with salt, that I may know how to make things right with my child.  If my child has sinned against me, give me the grace to forgive.  I forsake my stubborn attitudes and leave the responsibility of judging them with You.  By Your power I turn the other cheek toward my child.  In the name of Jesus, I rebuke the obstinate spirit that’s taken root in our relationship, and thank You in advance for breaking down the walls that divide us. 

I know the everything works together for the good, so my hope for peace with my child rests confidently in You. You are the Prince of Peace, and I accept Your peaceful ways to bring a harmonious end to the strife that separates us.  Your Word says two are better than one because if one of us fall, the other can help him up.  Help us, Lord then to pick one other up instead of pushing each other down.