From my book Intercessions for a Hurting World, a prayer for those experiencing the heartache of damaged or broken relationships.
Lord of all,
hear our prayer for those experiencing problems in their relationships.
We think of those experiencing tensions in a relationship with a partner –those who have drifted apart,
who have been hurt by thoughtless words or careless actions,
whose partners have been unfaithful,
who have endured mental or physical cruelty.
Reach out to hold.
Reach out to help.
We think of those experiencing tensions in a relationship with a child –
mothers coping with postnatal depression,
parents dealing with teenage angst and rebellion,
those finding it hard to let go of the apron strings,
those whose children have gone off the rails.
Reach out to hold.
Reach out to help.
We think of those experiencing tensions in a relationship with a parent –
those who feel controlled or overprotected,
those struggling to live up to parental expectations,
those who have argued with parents and become estranged,
those who have been abused or mistreated by them.
Reach out to hold.
Reach out to help.
We think of those experiencing tensions in a relationship with other family members –
those who have allowed molehills to become mountains,
resentments to fester,
disagreements to alienate,
discord to divide.
Reach out to hold.
Reach out to help.
We think of those experiencing tensions in a relationship with a friend –
those whose friendship has been taken for granted,
whose trust has been abused,
whose relationship has been one-sided,
whose friends have failed to be there for them when needed.
Reach out to hold.
Reach out to help.
Amen.