A Prayer for Blended Families at Christmas Meg Bucher Writer and Author 2017 18 Dec The formation of blended families is surging in America, with 1300 new stepfamilies forming every day.. How can you deal with the doubt thats overtaking your every thought? 26 The temple of God is holy; you are that temple. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. We tend to think of prayer, and rightly so, as communion with God, with the spiritual connection and benefits it entails. We ask this through Christ our Lord who lives in us now and forevermore. A blended family is the combination of two families. In other words, Jesus prays for us. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Please give us the strength to be patient with each other and our children, even when its hard. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? How could those couples ever fail? He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. Go to the source of your pain and see if you can identify exactly what is creating the doubt in your mind. I pray that we can work through the difficulties and grow together. We tend to think of prayer, and rightly so, as communion with God, with the spiritual connection and benefits it entails. How cute is that? I pray that they will accept our correction and understand that it is because we love them, Amen. When we live our lives in a way that is honest and sincere and based on Gods example, we eliminate a lot of problems just like that, in a snap, regardless of what everyone else around us does.Honest blessings. The family is the foundation of our society and if we do not pray for our families, they will crumble down like Davids house in Psalm 102:25. beauty of the birth of this new family. Understand that blending a family requires time Bringing two families together is a long-term investment. May these prayers help and comfort you and bring you joy and peace. I first noticed the complexity of the familial relationship of Isaac, Ishmael, Sarah, Hagar and Abraham while studying at Pardes, a coed pluralistic yeshiva in Jerusalem, in the summer of 2015. One 2012 study found an association between shared prayer and greater levels of relationship trust among married couples. I pray that I love them and they love me as genuinely as those related by blood do. I ask God to give me the words to say to comfort them or guide me in how best to help them through their struggle. I say this to your shame., So whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them. (Matthew 7:12), But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45), For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7), But let all things be done decently and in order. (I Corinthians 14:40), Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:19-20), And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: (Hebrews 10:24), But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. I didnt always do a great job of this in the beginning. When has He ever abandoned you? I pray for strength against laziness or complacency. How could you have prepared, and now, how can you respond to everything thats going on around you? "Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the love and support you provide to our family. Look deep into your doubt. A good example is charades and card games. We know about His love and compassion and character. And its particularly unsettling when you begin to doubt God, when you feel so lost and alone that you wonder if perhaps youve been abandoned. It is right to respect them because You placed them in my life, Amen. 1 0 obj We ask for your guidance as we learn how to live with one another day after day. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Is it a nagging feeling you have, a single episode thats bothering you? Required fields are marked *. I am a stepmom. Our families are the first and most influential socializing agents in our lives. As the families blend, there is a new family structure that can be difficult to navigate for all involved. These six prayers will get you started: God, I'm tired of my family fighting. Matthew 5:14Dear Father, I pray right now for every stepchild right now. Thats why we ask Him to be our mediator with the Father (1 Timothy 2:5). I come to you with a prayer for my blended family. When you need a strong heart and belief in your abilities, thats exactly when you cant feel it. Amen, I pray for my blended family. It is often challenging for parents and children alike. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Help each of them learn from the mistakes of their past, so that they can move forward into a brighter future. You have to have something stronger to beat them. I pray that they will accept that we have chosen to guide and raise them because we love me. We thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Dear Prayer Warrior: Please use this prayer as a guide. I need to feel You close and strong, eager to help me overcome all these questions in my mind. 4 0 obj Although the families prayed in different ways because of their diverse religious beliefs, there were similarities, including the timing of the prayers during specific family rituals or traditions, the priority families gave to prayer, and the relational processes the families shared. Unfortunately in many marriages, and definitely in blended families, the adults and children may not share the same faith or be on the same page about whats best. Lord, we ask that these families would be filled with grace, mercy, and peace. Our families are the first and most influential socializing agents in our lives. Because of this, we need to be intentional about raising our children in a way that will encourage them to grow into healthy, productive members of society. We thank you for the blended family we have. It is the joyful uniting of a man and a woman whose care and affection and understanding have flowered into a deep and abiding love. Prayer is powerfulbecause God, and our relationship with Him, is powerful. Three colors of sand are layered in a vase to symbolize the importance of the individuals within the marriage and the joining of the two lives into one entity. For the 198 diverse families in our national study, the BYU researchers wrote, we found that the family that prays together seems to benefit in more ways than just staying together.. Use this collection of prayers, readings, vows and quotes to inspire your joyous celebration of joining two separate families into one. I pray that we will be able to have peace and harmony in our home. Furthermore, IFS senior fellow W. Bradford Wilcoxs research with Nicholas Wolfinger concluded that shared prayer is the most powerful predictor of relationship quality among black, Latino, and white couples, more powerful than a denomination, religious attendance, or shared religious friendships., As to why prayer is linked to more positive relationships for couples, Dr. Wilcox has explained here that. ). If you tell your stepkids the truth and apply discipline consistently, even if they wont like it, they will learn to use your honesty as a frame of reference. Your prayer life is your most important ministry. Your decision to marry will also shape and deeply affect the lives of [children's names]. We pray for wisdom and understanding as we learn how to love one another in ways that are healthy and wholesome. Please help us to remember that our family is not made up of only those who share our blood, but also those who share our home. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Pray! We all need Jesus and everyone needs prayer! We pray for the strength and courage to show our blended family how much we care about them. The Word reminds us that we are called to love as God loves. But the honesty that you can control is more important. We all need Jesus and everyone needs prayer! God is there with you always, because He cant be anywhere else. Prayer Adult Issues Children Demonic Help Emotional Healing Everyday life Family Holiday Prayers National/Global Physical Healing Spiritual Healing Spiritual Warfare Supernatural Live Prayer Support Demonic Help Are Demons Inside You? Guide us in our relationships with one another, and help us to see the good in each person. Ephesians 6:4Dear Lord, joining a new family can be a difficult thing, but I pray that You watch over this family as we do so. Our forebears lived in a time of complicated family structures. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, Fear not, I will help you. After a few months or years of blending families, communication issues can creep up, alienating a child from one parent or both parents from each other. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Well, there are three things that we must remember when praying for our families: 1) Pray for their spiritual growth and development, 2) Pray for them in ways that will foster their growth and development as followers of Christ, 3) Pray for them in ways that will bring glory and honor to God. Your Word also says that a loving parent works hard to discipline and train their child. endobj When has He ever been unfaithful to you? Help us to love and respect each other through our differences and similarities. We know that if we work together to love each other as best as we can, and if we keep our relationship with you at the center of all of it, then everything else will fall into place. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a29e56002b8192c808f2563db1c5b008" );document.getElementById("e218d56cc5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We come to you as a blended family. It is often challenging for parents and children alike. We know that its hard to be a part of a blended family, especially when things arent going well. Blended families bring a whole lot of potential for engaging in conflict. But now I was being called to pray for their other family too? There are many reasons to pray for the family. Be with us as we navigate through these growing pains in our relationships so that we can come out stronger on the other sideall because of your grace! Give me discernment when I start to go down the wrong path. Bless this home with your love and protection, so that we may always walk in harmony together. Prayer Of The Day : Blessing Blended Families August 4, 2017 2:00 am Dear Lord, Thank you for our families! All of that baggage is real, but its not more powerful than your strength and will to be the stepmom you want to be. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.. The Bible says that God knows each one of us intimately (see Psalm 139:1-6). Knowing where the doubts come from is part of the answer. We pray for peace on this daypeace within ourselves, peace within our families, and peace between all people everywhere. We pray that we may continue to be a blessing to others. Ephesians 1:3-5 " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realmswith every spiritual blessing in Christ. I pray that you will give us the strength to do what is right, and the courage to do what is necessary. Blended families are very common, but being a smart blended family is not. I personally prefer the term bonus-mom, and my boys call me Mimi. Everyones feelings are raw and fluid, and the wide range of emotions can lead to dishonesty. Early in my marriage, God called me to treat the boys as my own. Ephesians 1:5-6 says, , And speaking of love, God then called me to not just pray for my boys but to also pray for their other parents, siblings, family members everyone that they love! We know its not easy. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. As many as two-thirds of all remarriages with children involved end, often before the fourth anniversary. A great way to include your blended family in your wedding ceremony is by giving them an official role. They each brought children from their previous marriages. Set aside some special time in which you and the child can interact alone. In other words, Jesus prays for us. This 10-part Bible study for blended (step) families is designed to help you build peace in your marriage, stepparenting, co-parenting, and other blended family relationships. Dads who remarry often expect their new brides to assume a similar role to their former wife. 10 Days. Help them love their stepchildren as their own, and not just as a duty or obligation. We pray that they would know how much you love them and how much you want them to be happy. We pray today for the strength to keep loving one another even when its hard; the wisdom to remember that the best things in life are often found in the simplest moments; and your guidance through these next few months as we navigate this transition together. Once youve established a habit and a pattern of honesty, you can base the future on that as well. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. -Luke 14:26, The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry -Galatians 5:19-21. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. There are many reasons to pray for the family. We know that if we work together to love each other as best as we can, and if we keep our relationship with you at the center of all of it, then everything else will fall into place. The Bible says that God knows each one of us intimately (see Psalm 139:1-6). Isaiah 41:13 {NKJV}. Today in America, approximately 33 percent of all weddings form blended families. We can and will find the strength to be honest in every single part of our lives. The concerns of my boys and husband for their loved ones became mine. This is the first and greatest commandment., But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well., Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. Bride and groom, you are combining your strengths and hopes in this marriage. The better and more effectively we communicate with those around us, the easier our job will be. Forgive any parent who has acted unfairly toward their stepchild. If youve noticed, I didnt mention my formal title of pastor throughout the article. Please speak Your timeless truths to my spirit and guide me confidently through my role as stepmom and wife. The fears, excitement, insecurities, joys, hurts, disappointments, laughs, tears, and deep love that I have experienced as Mimi has been nothing short of mind-blowing. The Bible says, Do not pray for easy lives. The scenery changes, but the Guide is the same. We know that you love us, even when we dont quite understand how to love ourselves. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. -James 3:14-16, Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good character. -1 Corinthians 15:33, If you want to be a follower of mine, you must hate everyone else by comparisonyour father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sistersyes, even your own life. We pray for blended families today. Many steps should be taken during the blending process to prepare for the changes that are about to take place. Pray to be stronger men! (James 1:2). 27 If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy that person; for Gods temple is sacred, and you are that temple., 28 Come to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. In blended families, its often the adults in the dynamic that make things the most difficult, but over the years, God softened my heart to pray no matter what. Prayer for Blended Families Dear God, Thank You because Your love is greater than any family or marriage I can ever imagine. You know what its like to feel alone, and I dedicate this prayer to You. Proverbs 10:1Righteous God, the pain of not having biological parents was great so I thank You for giving me new parents. Thats why I believe that when we pray for our families, were not just asking God to bless our loved ones; we are also asking God to use us as instruments of His blessing. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Add in being diagnosed with stage 3 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2013 and being told the chemotherapy treatment could affect my fertility and have other side effects. prayer helps couples deal with stress, enables them to focus on shared beliefs and hopes for the future, and allows them to deal constructively with challenges and problems in their relationship and in their lives. We especially pray for the children, who are often forgotten in the midst of new relationships and new family dynamics. Where is the help and comfort that youre needing now? I have seen God do miracles in the lives of my boys and I am excited and grateful to partner with God in prayer as His will for their lives unfolds. She has been working in the fields of Community Relations, Marketing, Promotions, and Public Relations for more than 23 years. wordpress.cafesmom.com. Relationships take time and effort to develop, but these simple steps can improve family relationships as well as general life satisfaction. James 1:5-6 {NIV}. Why have you let them into your heart, and how much are they controlling your life? MIP Philly moms have seen depression lifted from our kids, divine favor with teachers, professors, coaches and supervisors, addictions broken, and even bridges mended within family relationships! Your email address will not be published. And where is the hope and promise that you began this life with? We pray for patience and understanding of each others needs and wants. This non-denominational christian wedding ceremony script is best for couples who want a religious, sweet, funny, and personal ceremony for a blended family. Your email address will not be published. You are free to pursue your dreams and reach great heights in stepmotherhood when you have only an honest foundation on which to build. We pray that as we spend time together, those gifts will be revealed to us and to each other. But for now, I want you to know how prayer has been a lifeline as a bonus-mom. x=k6?h_AG06.W&r-y[ %M:UgY,u'>9LR'/Xzq\b_6v{;??5RN'QNlZ|Di=~Bi$2-7WIQKEVQNC$S/R)xcZ4/ ~| 6eEmm:AZ iy 8: |. Those who take its sacred vows have their lives blended together into one, as the waters of two rivers are joined when they come together to form an even greater one. Because God is always the same, you dont ever have to doubt Him. Amen. So that means the boys' family, my husband's parents and siblings, and everyone connected to me, including my marriage and our household. Prayer is also important because it helps us focus on what really matters in life. Read this excerpt from the blended family Bible Plan, Blend: Strengthen Your Family, to see how a prayer for family unity strengthened and saved their marriage. One step at a time is enough. Ephesians 1:5-6 says, He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.I began to pray for them like I did my new husband and my family and friends. The recent study from researchers at Brigham Young University (BYU) was published in the Journal of Family Psychology and included a sample of 198 religiously-diverse families from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths in 17 states. I didnt have any children prior to marriage and considering our relatively quick courtship (we were engaged in three months, and married within a year of meeting), this Mimi thing happened overnight! Sometimes, thats scary for a stepmom, but it doesnt have to be. To Think About: Have you been dishonest in the way youve played your stepmom role? Dear God, thank you for bringing our blended family together. I pray that we will be able to love one another and forgive one another. We ask for your guidance as we learn how to live with one another day after day. Please help our children see that they are loved by everyone in their family. Instantly filling the role of wife is challenge enough; being . The Lord has given you the perfect example and instruction. The more damaging doubt: Now lets look at your doubts about finding God in your pain. We pray for your special grace for this newly-blended family. Please help us to remember that we are not alone in this process, but rather part of a larger family who is equally imperfect and equally loved by you. When you claim this sweet fact, you can apply it to your life and use Him as a model for everything you do. Lets look at your doubts about your feelings first. We pray for the strength and courage to show our blended family how much we care about them. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. -James 3:14-16, Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good character. -1 Corinthians 15:33, If you want to be a follower of mine, you must hate everyone else by comparisonyour father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sistersyes, even your own life. Please help us to be patient with each other, especially when things get difficult or confusing. Wedding Prayer 7: Behold our family. It is often challenging for parents and children alike. 2. Data from 2018 claims that around 40% of births in the USA occur outside the covenant of marriage. We know that our children will be better people because of the love and support they have from their step-parents and step-siblings. They could also recite a reading or say a wedding prayer during the ceremony. Thank you for bringing us together as a new family, and for giving us the chance to love one another in a way that only those who have been brought together by Gods hand could truly understand. To God in Prayer: Lord, please help me to abide in You, to take Your truth and apply it to my life. If youve noticed, I didnt mention my formal title of pastor throughout the article. We thank you for the blended family we have. Very little happens the way we envision, and we often deal with thoughts and emotions and fears that shock and consume us. The researchers asked parents and children several questions about their faith traditions and how these traditions impacted their family life, including: How does your family overcome major stresses and problems? and How do you share your faith with your children? In an effort to avoid bias, the word, prayer was not used in the interview questions; however, prayer was referenced by family members in 96% of their responses. Forming a blended family, also known as a stepfamily, is not always Brady Bunch easy. an original real wedding script written by amm minister valise jackson. We know that our children will be better people because of the love and support they have from their step-parents and step-siblings. The Spirit of God lives in you. Yes, indeed, competition sometimes breeds conflict, but in this case, it can be a healthy conflict. Many blended families use a unity sand ritual to symbolise the coming together of the different members of the new family unit (just like the different coloured grains of sand are combined, never to be separated again). After a few months or years of blending families, communication issues can creep up, alienating a child from one parent or both parents from each other. Thats why I believe that when we pray for our families, were not just asking God to bless our loved ones; we are also asking God to use us as instruments of His blessing. %PDF-1.7 In 2019, Jamila received a Biblical and Life Breakthrough Coaching certification from Life Breakthrough Academy. And where is God to help you with all this? The family is the foundation of our society and if we do not pray for our families, they will crumble down like Davids house in Psalm 102:25. Please help the family members who do not receive the love they deserve. 2 0 obj We ask that you help us to turn to each other in times of stress and need, as well as joy. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. In my Moms in Prayer (MIP) group, weve seen God do great things! And you can only have a clear conscious and a clear vision when you make the choice for honesty. Bless our family as we try to live in a way that brings glory to you. With this realization, the prayers began to flow. But heres the thing: Prayer isnt supposed to be a one-way conversation especially when it comes to praying for your family. The Spirit of God lives in you. Give me rest today. How will you begin to build your integrity today? They have five children in total and a story that'll encourage any blended family. We know that you love us, even when we dont quite understand how to love ourselves. Help us learn how to be a family again! The past depresses us, the present exhausts us, and the future terrifies us. We know that we dont always get along and that things can be hard when there are different expectations and different traditions. Blending marriages is an ongoing process. Thats when you can start doubting the very basis of your life now, your love and devotion to your husband. Go to God with your concerns and follow His lead in all situations to come. Dear God, thank you for bringing our blended family together. I ask God to give me the words to say to comfort them or guide me in how best to help them through their struggle. Do you doubt your ability to handle the life of a stepmom? After praying and fasting,I knew God was leading me to marriage. Help us understand that when we correct our stepchild / step children, it is done out of love. How has your family changed through prayer? Many people who were adopted were placed with a family that didnt want them, and so a lot of them married people who treat them like they werent wanted from another family either. I personally prefer the term bonus-mom, and my boys call me Mimi. We know that we dont always get along and that things can be hard when there are different expectations and different traditions. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Now is just another part of your journey. ), or go to our website and see a picture of me in robes, it might become readily apparent that I have flexible beliefs on required attire. But if youre here reading this because you Googled prayer for blended families, then you already know that. Praying for others can help you better understand what they need so that you can help them more effectively when they need it most.#ENDWRITE. I pray that my stepparents do not provoke me to anger, but I pray that they bring me up in the discipline and instruction of You. The troubling doubts that creep into every thought can derail you quickly from your path. Now let me be honest, this was not as easy as praying for them. Thank you for each one of the dynamic personalities that we get to share life with. Blended Family Prayer Team Commit to pray for the Blended Family Ministry through quarterly online gatherings. more on what the bible says about blended families. Sadly, magically remedying any of the dishonesty you may be facing is not within your control. endobj Bless our family as we try to live in a way that brings glory to you. Psalm 91:2 {NIV}. Help us to be kind and generous toward one another, and help us to love each other with all our hearts. We want to honour your will in our lives and be thankful for all of the gifts you have given us. Psalm 145:18-19 {NKJV}. Novena Prayer To Velankanni Mother In Konkani, Prayer For A Friend Whose Mother Passed Away, Powerful Prayer For Healing Of The Teeth And Gums, Bible Quiz Questions And Answers From The Book Of Luke Pdf, Spiritual Meaning Of Eating Sugar Cane In The Dream, Thank You Letter To A Church For Financial Support, Spiritual Meaning of Someone Dying on Your Birthday, Spiritual Meaning Of Hearing Someone Call Your Name, Sample Introduction of A Pastor As Guest Speaker, Prayer For My Mother In Heaven On Her Birthday. stream Amen. . I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You find something just as powerful right away and do it: Have some alone time with your husband, write about an especially comforting time, plan a family outing, take a break so that you can recharge and get a better perspective on thingsanything positive that reconnects you with your true heart. Game and Movie Night Nothing takes away blended family issues like game and movie nights. Please help us to remember that we are not alone in this process, but rather part of a larger family who is equally imperfect and equally loved by you. But now I was being called to pray for their , In blended families, its often the adults in the dynamic that make things the most difficult, but over the years, God softened my heart to pray no matter what. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Moms in Prayer International is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 33-0417450. helpful non helpful. We pray for our blended families. When you make the conscious choice to live your life in an honest way, youll find all kinds of blessings.
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