Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
This verse is such a good reminder when your family or a family you care about is going through a difficult time. It reminds us that we can call out to God during these times and that there is a promise that He will give us peace.
I think it’s important to remember that the promise is not that the difficult times will just disappear but that we will have peace.
In fact, God says that in this world we will have hard times.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)
So let’s cry out together for God to help during these times. The following prayers will guide you to begin to pray to God. We will take the Biblical approach of making our request known to God with thanksgiving.
We would love to specifically be praying for your family or your loved one’s family during this time. Please comment below so we can join with you in prayer.
Short Prayers For Family In Difficult Times
Dear Heavenly Father, you are like no other god. You are alive and working. You care for me and listen to me. I am thankful that you are a God who desires to be in a relationship with me so I’m crying out to you today for my family.
God, we are going through a difficult time right now. It seems like nothing is going our way. I know that you are sovereign over all and this is not bad luck. I know I can grow through these difficult times but I am asking that you provide peace during this time.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)
So today I’m asking that you give me your eyes and strength through this difficult situation my family is going through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer For Family Going Through Difficult Relationship
Sovereign God, I know you are in control. Today I’m casting all my anxiety on you because you care for me. My family is struggling with a difficult relationship. This relationship is making everyone anxious and on edge.
God, I ask that you help me to be humble as I interact with this person. I do not want to add more stress to my family because of this broken relationship.
God, I ask that you help me to think clearly when I think about how to handle this relationship. I know the devil prowls around and would like this difficulty to destroy all that my family has built to be a safe place to grow in you. Help me stand strong in my faith.
Father, I am thankful that you care for me and that you have the power to take care of this problem. I ask
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)
God, please restore me and strengthen me. Help me to deal with this hard relationship out of your strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer For Family Going Through Financial Difficulties
Father in Heaven, You are so good to me. You have always provided for my family. I can remember the countless times that you provided a meal or financial means when I didn’t expect it.
I have prayed this prayer so many times before, but I’m humbly at your feet again asking that you help my family during this difficult time. Help us, we are struggling because of financial difficulties.
Father, I want to aspire to the same things Paul encourages the church in Thessalonica to do;
and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV)
I long to not be in this financial situation and long to work with my hands so that my family does not have to be dependent on anyone.
However, I am so grateful for the body of the church and your provision during times like this one. Thank you for how you protect me when my family is in need. I pray that you provide either through me being able to work or through your body. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer For Family Affected By Sin
Father, my heart is broken. I do not even have the words to express to you in this hard time. You know the sin that has affected my family. You know how terrible it is and how it can destroy my family.
Help me to turn to you during this time. Lead me to how I should act and think. I do not want my family to go through any more trouble because of this sin.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 ESV)
God, every time I am tempted to think about this sin and the destruction it has had on my family help me instead to turn my eyes to you. Help me to recount the beautiful story of the Gospel.
Father, you sent your son to die the death that covers sins. You have allowed all those who believe in you to be reconciled to you. While this sin has caused troubled times for my family here on Earth you have promised a future where this is no more sin.
Allow me to renew my mind with these truths and not dwell on the sin that has made this season so difficult.
Give me strength to resist the devil. Give the one who has sinned against my family strength and wisdom to never sin in this way again. Remove any temptation and protect us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer For Family Affected By Loss
Dear Heavenly Father, my family is going through a very difficult time right now because of the loss in my family. This fallen world, sin, and ultimately death is not part of your plan but you are sovereign over it all.
I pray that you draw my family closer to you during this time. Help them to remember your love. Allow them to feel the pain of this broken world but only enough to be able to then see the beauty of the Gospel.
Father, I ask that you help me to bear the burdens and to weep alongside my family as they weep.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 ESV)
But I ask that you also give me the words to help them rest in you and rejoice in the truth that you are still in control even during this loss.
Help us as a family to dwell on this truth found in Revelation.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelations 21:4 ESV)
Lord, help my family accept this loss in a way that helps them remember your rule and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Thoughts
It is not easy to see your family or a family you love going through a tough time. It is easy to think that we can or should solve all their problems.
It is a great reminder that the God who created you and created this family loves this family more than you ever could. You can trust God to take care of this family during this difficult time.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)
This is such a sweet promise that this family will not always be in this situation. It is so good to remember that God is mighty and cares for us. He will exalt those who love him and accept Jesus as Lord. When families are struggling and going through tough situations we can trust God.
So continue to pray to God for these hard times. We would love to join with you in prayer. Please comment below so we can pray with you during these difficult times.
