Praying for My Family Part 2預覽

THE ENEMY'S TOOL: DISCORD

Over the next three days, we will examine the tools that Satan uses to try to destroy our families. The first one is discord, which means “some lack of agreement or lack of harmony between people…that can lead to active conflict and quarreling as a result”, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. We all know how this one feels: we get a pit in our stomach, or a tensing of our muscles when someone says something off. As the tension builds, it often leads to conflict or avoidance. In American culture, Satan uses our independent spirit and consumerism to create discord between members of a family. We are told it is all about ME, so why should I care about what someone else thinks, feels, or needs? Satan amplifies this and encourages it to keep us from forgiving, reconciling, and getting back on mission.

But God’s way is better. He encourages us to live peacefully with everyone and to forgive seventy times seven, as many times as necessary. Families are to live in unity and work to uncover and resolve discord. Praying over discordant situations is an essential step toward unity and forgiveness. When we see a family that takes this seriously and is working faithfully to resolve conflict and root out discord, they look different. They are a team that enjoys each other! It is contagious and is a witness to the truth of God, and can help bring others to know Him!

Ask Yourself:
- What are some of the things that Satan uses to create discord in your family (i.e. missed expectations, gossip, etc.)?
- Is there anyone in my family that I need to seek to resolve discord with and seek forgiveness and unity?

Pause to Pray for your family: Use today’s scriptures to pray against discord and for unity and forgiveness in your family. Use this prompt to get started -

Father, help me to see where discord is happening within my family…give me the courage to go talk to them about how to resolve it…Please bring forgiveness and unity within my family…protect us from discord and help us to see it early and address it quickly…. Amen.