2 Prayers for Family Healing
- Patrice Burrell Grant Contributing Writer
- Updated Oct 10, 2022
1. A Prayer When Desiring Healing within a Parental Relationship
Lord, I praise you for reminding me you are Jehovah, the relational God, and Abba, My Heavenly Father, who loves me perfectly. Thank you for giving me my earthly parents. I recognize your purposeful providence at work on my behalf by placing me into my family of origin. It was not by accident, nor was it a mistake that I have the very mother and father you gave me. I acknowledge it was all by your sovereign will. For this, I give you praise. Today, I choose to be grateful for every family dynamic that has provided opportunities for me to be happy, grow, grieve, overcome obstacles, rejoice in victories, and serve my family. These are all truly reasons to be thankful for, even when I experience present or future challenging family circumstances.
The Bible teaches us to honor our mother and father so that we will live a long life (Exodus 20:12). I want to be blessed with a long life full of your favor, Lord. I desire to honor you as I honor my parents all the days of my life and theirs. Help me, Father, to practice doing this in ways that please you. In order to experience authenticity in my relationship with my mother/father, I pray for healing in my heart. I acknowledge I have specifically been hurt by __________. In all honesty, it has been hard to process this hurt, but I want to work through it, so my relationship with my mother/father is not hindered and stifled. To enjoy peace, love, and joy in my relationship with my mother/father, I humbly ask you to heal my heart.
Where ill-spoken words have wounded me, I pray the Holy Spirit would be a healing balm to my soul. Help me to forgive my mother/father for actions and behaviors that have caused pain and offense. Where there has been a breach in the relationship because of mistrust or betrayal, give me the wisdom to know the best ways to rebuild a strong, sustainable relationship with my parents at this stage of my life. Help me to live out the true meaning of what it means to walk in forgiveness, especially toward my family.
May I not only forgive but also seek forgiveness for the wrongs I have done toward my mother/father. I confess to you, God that I have not always made the best choices that promote a healthy relationship with my parents. I want to cultivate a relationship that yields mutual respect, support, and sincere admiration. When the temptation comes to hold on to grudges or rehash old wounds, let me instead turn to you for guidance and cling to your peace for divine direction in my thoughts and deeds.
As your healing virtue flows through my relationship with my mother/father, may I be grace-giving, patient, and understanding with her/him, just as you are with me. Please help me to remember in most instances my parents are doing the best they know how to do. I can rest in the assurance that my Heavenly Father is the only perfect parent. Thank you, God, for never letting me down and always keeping your word. You are always faithful and praiseworthy. I thank you that I can receive healing in my relationship with my mother/father and trust you, by faith, to work through all the details that need your special touch and attention. I will rest in you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
2. A Prayer When Desiring Healing in a Relationship with a Child/Children
Dear God, thank you for (name of child/children). I am eternally blessed that you chose to entrust (name) to me as his/her/their parent. I am grateful for the awesome privilege of being a mother/father. Your Word tells me in Psalm 127:3, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” I know that you had divine purposes for my child’s/children’s birth into the earth at the precise moment in time he/she/they arrived, and I boldly declare that the plans of God shall prevail in (name) lives.
I confess my heartbreak over the hurt in my relationship with (name) and petition your throne for healing. The Bible comforts and assures me that I can confidently pray to you about anything that concerns me. So today, I lift up my family to you, Lord, and I specifically request healing in the area of __________ concerning my relationship with (name). Please give me your perspective and your prayer strategies as I continue to cover my child/children in intercession.
So many times, I have broken your heart. But as a loving parent, you forgive me again and again. You have shown me goodness, grace, and mercy even when I don’t deserve it. You have pursued me even though I have rejected and resisted your presence. In this same way, give me a holy tenacity to be loving with (name) and exercise forgiveness, even if he/she/they never expresses remorse for the pain inflicted through their hurtful words or actions. Give me a resolve to pursue (name) even if he/she/they deny(ies) my love for them. I want to love my child/children the way you love me - completely and unconditionally - in every season of our lives. Help me to be steadfast and trust that you are working in his/her/their life according to your perfect timetable. They will receive the personal healing they need first so that our relationship can also be healed.
In faith, I proclaim Isaiah 54:13 over the life of my child/children, “All your children will be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of your children.” I also claim Psalm 112:2 for (name), “His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”
Thank you that my seed is blessed! Thank you, Lord, for giving me the fortitude to stand in the gap and make up the hedge of intercession for (name). I believe you hear and answer my prayers, and I know my prayers avail much in the life of my child/children. As you continue to minister healing to (name), please also usher both of us into fresh healing within our relationship that offers a great testimony for your glory.
Although I may not be able to forget what I choose to forgive, and although I will not pretend offenses have not occurred, Scripture tells me that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Therefore, I choose love because it is greater and the more excellent way. I choose to love fervently because my relationship with (name) and the future legacy of our family are worth it. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I can experience wholeness as a parent. Your healing allows me to do the necessary work to repair broken fences that need mending in my relationship with (name).
I declare love, joy, laughter, peace, and unity returns to our relationship. My family will thrive and flourish. We will experience the abundant life Christ died for us to experience, even through the richness we encounter in our relationships with each other. My relationship with (name) is getting better each day and growing stronger. According to your Word in Psalm 115:14, increase is our portion: “May the Lord give you increase, you and your children.” Thank you, God, for the meaningful moments you give us to rebuild our bond. Thank you for significant, transformational encounters that draw us closer to you and each other. Hallelujah, I give you praise for your healing over our hearts! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
