A Parent’s Prayer Following a Difficult Child Custody Ruling
Receiving an unfavorable child custody ruling can be devastating. As parents, we want the very best for our children and we want to protect our children from what we perceive as harmful or less than ideal situations. When we receive an unfavorable child custody ruling, prayer can be a helpful resource in telling God about our pain and asking for wisdom and guidance on how to be the parent we want to be in light of the unfavorable circumstances.
Prayer after an Unfavorable child Custody Ruling
Dear Heavenly Father, I come before with you with a heavy, broken heart over the ruling I have received about the custody of my children. I have put much prayer, thought, energy and hope into the recent legal battles because of my great love for my dear children. I have desired with all of my heart the very best for them. I long for them to grow into secure, happy, confident adults who know without a doubt that I love them unconditionally and that I will always be there for them no matter what. And now my ability to always be there for them has been limited to certain times and places. Neither the time nor the places seem long enough or big enough. I ache for more time.
This is very hard to feel, but I cling to Your word in the Bible. I pray Psalm 31:14,15 “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” I pray this verse over my children as well. You are their God. Their times are in your hands. Deliver them. Protect them.
I pray that you will vigilantly protect the times I have been allotted with my children. I pray that nothing will be allowed to interfere with this precious time. I pray that there be no manipulation, no psychological barriers, no conflicts or interference with the custodial parent or guardian, no times where I must choose between seeing my children and keeping my job. I pray for resources for any travel involved, for the ability to take my children to church and teach them Your ways, for the ability to enjoy significant holidays and celebrate milestones of life with my children.
Most of all, I pray that you will give my time with my children a supernatural quality that defies the clock and the calendar. I claim the same quality of time expressed by the Psalmist in Psalm 84:10 “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” I pray Your divine multiplication power on the impact of the time I am able to spend with my children.
I’m tired and feel defeated and depressed. On my own I can’t do this. But I thank you that you tell me that I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) I am not strong enough to make this work or to do any of this on my own. Thank you that you will never leave me or forsake me or my children. Thank you that you are my helper and so I will not be afraid of anything anyone can do to me. (Hebrews 13:5,6)
I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ who dearly loves all children. Amen
copyright Karen Barber 2012 All rights reserved