The Family Name

Reflection

As we step into February our monthly prayer focus turns to prayer for the Family sphere of influence. We seek God for His tenderness, wisdom, and compassion as we pray through this month that can be filled with more situations and emotions than we could ever imagine or address… but God!

God does not miss a moment of your life. God has seen every joy-filled and every brokenhearted tear that you have shed. God knows the desires of your heart; your wounds and wants, every treasured memory and biggest dreams. God knows everything about you because He created you, loves you, has made extraordinary plans for you, never leaves you, is always for you, gave His Son for you, and is continually working out His Kingdom good and goodness in your life. Why? Because you belong first and foremost to Him.

You are His creation, fearfully and wonderfully made and He doesn’t miss a moment of your life. People may come and go, disappoint, drain, abandon, or take advantage of you – but God will never leave you or forsake you because He loves you as your Heavenly Father from whom every family derives its name. People do not complete us, God does. He who began a good work in you will see it to completion, to perfection in heaven, all while lovingly leading us through every moment on earth.

If you have been longing and praying for a spouse, walk in faith and continue to be the godly person that will one day be the answer to your future spouse’s prayers. You are worth the wait and so are they. Never step outside God’s will to fill a need with a counterfeit or convenient momentary substitute that could leave you spiritually and emotionally damaged.

If a beloved member of your family has transitioned to heaven, treasure their memory as you grieve and take strength and joy in their glory in heaven. In Christ, we are forever family, look to Jesus for compassion, comfort, and companionship before and beyond anything or anyone else on earth. Enjoy the company of family and friends on earth, do not isolate yourself in grief, but know that your God-designed purpose still abounds, your race is not finished, and God will lead and love you as you walk in His will and ways.

If you have a prodigal child or parent in your family, God knows exactly where they are, and He is always working to draw them back to Him and to you. Keep praying. If you have been abandoned, know that God is always with you, you are never alone. If you have gone through a divorce, a breakup, or are losing hope in ever getting married, embrace God’s love and family, find a church community, immerse your thoughts, emotions, and actions in the Word of God and His wonderful purpose and plans for you, and live daily in His abundance and not with a spirit of lack or disappointment. Trust your Heavenly Father that in all times, in all things, in all your dreams, desires, and disappointments He is for you, with you, and loves you with a greater, truer, purer, never-ending love than you could ever imagine.

How We Can Pray

Every family is unique but every family on heaven and earth derives its name from God. Whether biological or spiritual grandparents, parents, spouses, daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. you originated from God and He loved you so much that He sent His Son to pay the punishment of your sin and provide you with abundant life on earth and path back to Him in heaven. Maybe some of you reading this are the one who walked away; left a child, a family, turned your back on God and His ways weary from waiting or tempted by an ungodly desire that you fear and feel you can never recover from. God is waiting to hear your prayer, waiting to hear your heart cry out for forgiveness and restoration. He is waiting and watching to receive you, forgive you, and restore you in His forever family.

Perhaps there is at least one of you reading this who has never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. There is nothing that you have done that God will not forgive. You are not too far gone; you are not too late. He has been drawing you to Him from the moment you were born and even in your rebellion, resisting Him, doubting Him, angry, prideful, hurtful, whatever your situation, Jesus is waiting to bring you back to your heavenly family with the peace and joy of knowing you are now, and for eternity, a part of the family of God.

Would you please pray with me now?

Lord Jesus, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You would strengthen all who are reading and praying with us. Strengthen them with power through Your Spirit in their inner being, their mind, heart, and soul, so that You, Christ Jesus, may dwell in their hearts through faith. Draw and fill them with Your love. I pray for all of our “family,” every person derived, created by You, to know You and trust the plans You have for them, the provision and protection You supply for all of their needs. I pray that every family will experience Your presence and will follow You all of their days, abiding in You, Your Word and ways; trusting You as they live in and through Your Light. It is in Your wonderful, powerful, loving name we pray, live, and proclaim, Amen!

Serving Him with gladness,

Kathy Branzell

President