Prayers to Withstand Your Family Struggles When your family isnt seeing eye-to-eye, you can call out to God for peace, hope and forgiveness. June 10th, 2016 Nicholas Hemming
Prayers to Withstand Your Family Struggles
Prayers to Withstand Your Family Struggles When your family isnt seeing eye-to-eye, you can call out to God for peace, hope and forgiveness. June 10th, 2016 Nicholas Hemming
Bible Blog

No show has ever made me laugh harder than Everybody Loves Raymond. The sitcom stars Ray Barone, a smart-aleck journalist who navigates an overbearing mother, a cranky wife and two energetic twins.

In this family, Ray can do nothing right. He's punished for every mistake, serves as the subject of every joke and receives no support in his quest to become a better father.

For all nine seasons, I laughed at this dysfunctional family dynamic—until Ray Romano, the show's writer who also plays Ray Barone, admitted to modeling the script after his real-life family experiences. Almost instantly, the show evolved from a ridiculous comedy to a commentary on one of life's greatest struggles.

Of course, Romano exaggerates the stories told in Everyday Loves Raymond. But now, when I watch re-runs of the show, I wonder if we can all relate to the Barone family.

The smallest mistakes lead to the biggest arguments. There's never enough time in the day. In-law dynamics create tension. A new crisis pops up every morning.Financial stability is a dream and not a reality.

All of these struggles can drive us mad, resulting in silly debates and petty arguments. And, over time, they can tear apart our family relationships and lead to stubborn family feuds.

If you can relate to Ray Barone more than you'd like to admit, you can turn to Scripture for peace, hope and healing. These four prayers will get you started:

Lord, my family just isn't seeing eye-to-eye right now. Give us hope as we navigate this difficult season of life.

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.– Romans 15:13 (GNTD)

Lord, I'm exhausted. I feel like I'm constantly trying to settle family arguments. Give me rest today.

"Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light."– Matthew 11:28-30 (GNTD)

Lord, I know I've let down my family. I strive to keep my cool, but I'm not always as patient as I need to be. Forgive me for hurting them.

Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.– Ephesians 4:31-32 (GNTD)

Read more posts about: Healthy RelationshipsFamily

Nicholas Hemming
Nicholas Hemming

Nicholas Hemming served as a Content Specialist for American Bible Society. As a child of Southern New Hampshire, he grew up exploring hidden towns along the rocky New England coast. Though he now resides in Philadelphia, PA, he continues to curiously explore his home—and the towns, cities and countries that lay beyond his home.

See more posts from Nicholas Hemming

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