A Prayer for Families Walking through Estrangement
By Chelsey DeMatteis
Bible Reading:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15
Read or Listen Below:
Estrangement in family is an awful reality; it's yet another glaring truth that shows us it's not supposed to be this way. When we think of family, many of us would agree that hurt is inevitable, but the estrangement of a family member seems like something that should never occur.
A few months ago, we got the call that addiction had resurfaced in a family member's life. What started as everyone jumping in with all-hands-on-deck quickly became a complicated, dysfunctional, and sad situation for everyone involved. Strife arose, words were spoken, choices were made, and relationships were severed again.
It's had me asking, how can we be the light of Christ through all of this? We know we cannot enable and cannot condone irresponsible behavior, but we do want to show love. We want nothing more than to see this family member fully restored, but we also realize they have to want healing for themselves.
As I've searched the scriptures, I've seen that sometimes the only way to love someone well is by sharing the hard truth that leads to life.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” - John 16:13
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” - 3 John 1:4
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” - Romans 12:2
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” - 1 Chronicles 16:11
“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” - Psalm 43:3
Each of these scriptures reveals how important it is to live out the truth of our faith and share the truth with those around us. We are using the Bible's guidance, as we always do, for our family unit in approaching this season. We want to be the light, lead in love, and show that through a saving faith in Christ, one can be led into freedom and restoration.
My prayer for you, if you're dealing with estrangement in your family, is that you'd hand it over to Jesus. No matter what the reasoning is—money, mental health, addiction, divorce, or lifestyle—choose to give that family member over to the only One who can change their heart and heal their mind. The sooner we release this person into the hands of Jesus, the more quickly we'll be released of the tension that comes from trying to reason with someone who will never understand where you're coming from.
Let's Pray:
Father, thank you for the gift of your steadfast love. I know it was never your intent to have families ripped apart due to finances, mental health, addiction, divorce, or sinful lifestyle. Please help me, Father, as I navigate this difficult season. Help me surrender the family member(s) in my life where estrangement has occurred. I pray for them to be fully restored in Jesus' name. I pray for our family to be pieced back together and that our family will be a living testimony to your faithfulness. But, Lord, if the outcome is not what I hope for, help me trust you. Help me remember that their choices are not a reflection of me, but a reflection of their brokenness inside. Give me the boldness to stand firm as I share your truth, soften me as I show your love, and give me wisdom as I set boundaries. In Jesus' name, amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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Originally published Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
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