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Prayer for a Broken Family: 15 Bold and Encouraging Prayers

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If you are searching for prayers for a broken family, there are a few things to remember…

In life’s tough moments, we may find ourselves dreaming of the perfect family, where there is abundant joy everywhere and God’s love obviously shining through. 

But let’s face it. In reality, families can be messy, with hurt and heartache that tear us apart. Is there even such a thing as a perfect family?

Yet, in the middle of a mess, that is where God’s light can shine brightly for all to see. What the enemy means for evil God means for good (Genesis 50:20). Nothing is impossible for God, and He can make anything redeemable. However, this means that when we want to pray for our broken family, we must talk honestly to God as He works to repair whatever has been done. 

Go below for ready-to-go prayers for families that feel broken. Remember- it is not about having it all together, but it is about clinging to hope to believe that somehow, God will take what is broken and create something new.  Let’s lean in and see what God has in store for you as you pray for your family or a family you know. May others see the power of prayer through it all.

Each prayer includes the Word of God, as the word is God and God is truth (John 1:1). Feel free to look up these Bible verses in your preferred translation.

15 Prayers for a Broken Family

A Daily Family Prayer for a Broken Family

When praying for a broken family it is important to remember that we do not want to go to God simply for results. We want to go to God for Him and the fact that He is above all else. He is always the better way.  If we had no prayer answered the way we thought about our family and only had Jesus to return to, it would still be enough. 

Therefore, creating a daily prayer means that we do not make restoring a family the idol in which we see through a lens to God. We must go to God with open and clean hearts for healing to take place.

Lord, You are the God of restoration, but we come not because of what you can do but because of who You are. You are the Great I AM (Exodus 3:14). We praise your powerful name and ask for your forgiveness for any wrong we have done since yesterday. Please use our repentance to make room in our hearts for whatever You want to take its place. Restore our souls, and help us turn them to You. Amen.

Prayers for a Broken Family That Is Not Your Own

There are few things harder than watching a family crumble and fall, and feeling powerless in the process.

However, if we are praying God’s Word, we are praying with power, because God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). 

The best thing we can do is pray a prayer of intercession on behalf of the family to be a light in this dark world. It is not the only thing we can do, it is truly the most powerful thing we can do. 

Here is an example prayer:

Dear Lord, We know from your truth that you are near the broken-hearted and those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:8). We come to You praying a prayer of intercession for this family. You know them inside and out, better than they know themselves. Help each family member come to repentance and reveal to them what they need to do to fix anything, knowing that You are the only thing that can make them whole. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Prayers for Divorced Families 

We do not have to search far to know the depressing divorce rates in our country and world. However, we can be thankful that we serve a God that is higher than statistics and cultural trends. 

Dear God, We come before you with heavy hearts as we think about families that are going through the pain of divorce. We raise up to you families that have become broken, knowing that You can provide them with the type of peace that only You can. Remind them that the joy of the Lord can be their strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Guide them through this tough and treacherous journey, Lord, and give them wisdom. Help them to desire wisdom as it is more precious than rubies (Proverbs 8:11). Most of all, remind them to not fear because You are with them, and that is enough (Isaiah 41:10).

May they find solace in your promises, strength in your presence, and hope in your unfailing love. And may their families be restored and renewed according to your perfect will. And may their prayer life increase to create a brighter future for the entire family.

We pray all these things in the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.

Prayers for Blended Families with Tensions

Dear God, we come to You with open hearts and open minds, knowing that in the interwebs of complexities among families, Your love and truth are simple and always good. We know that every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17) and so only good comes from You. We also know that whatever the enemy means for evil You mean for good (Genesis 50:20) so we come to You asking what only You can do: bring peace in every fraction of their lives that is chaos. We ask for what only the Holy Spirit can do: bring overwhelming love in the least likely places. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Prayers for Families Affected by Addiction 

Dear Heavenly Father, Today we lift up families that are affected by addiction. We ask you to provide comfort and strength, but also truth, as you surround them. 

Grant everyone affected wisdom and courage, knowing they can only do things through the contentment of Christ (Philippians 4:13). Please bring them healing and reconciliation in Your way and Your will, for with you, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). 

May each family member be ready to fight and win over the power of drug addiction.

May they find hope and support in their journey, knowing that you are their refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Prayers for Families Dealing With Domestic Violence 

Dear Lord, We come before you with heavy hearts, lifting up families facing the darkness of domestic violence. We pray for their safety, healing, and restoration.

Psalm 91:4 says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” May these families find refuge in you, knowing that you are their protector and defender.

Grant them the courage to seek help and support, knowing that they are not alone. Help them to break free from the cycle of abuse and find the strength to rebuild their lives.

Psalm 34:17 reminds us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” We pray that you would hear the cries of those suffering from domestic violence and deliver them from their troubles.

Guide them to resources and communities that can provide the support and assistance they need to escape from danger and find safety.

In the name of Jesus, who came to bring freedom and healing, we pray. Amen.

Prayers for Families Experiencing Financial Hardship 

Dear God, In the times we live in, it feels that everyone is experiencing financial hardship these days. However, we know that some people right now are facing a whirlwind of financial disaster and do not see hope in the future. Please remove any unknown idols of things going the exact way they planned and instead help them place their hope only in You and who You are. Let them surrender anything that needs to be surrendered to make their lives work in the way You plan. Amen.

Prayers for Families with Incarcerated Members 

Dear God,

We come before you with hearts burdened for families who have loved ones behind bars. We lift them up to you, asking for your comfort, strength, and peace to surround them during this difficult time.

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We pray that you would grant them your peace that surpasses all understanding, calming their fears and anxieties.

Give them strength, Lord, to endure the challenges they face each day. Help them to find support and encouragement from one another and from their community.

Psalm 34:18 assures us that you are near to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. We pray that you would draw near to these families, comforting them in their grief and lifting their spirits with your love and grace.

Guide them in supporting their incarcerated loved ones with love and grace, showing them forgiveness and understanding. Help them to maintain connections and relationships despite the barriers of physical separation.

We pray for the safety and well-being of their incarcerated family members, asking for your protection and provision over them.

In the name of Jesus, who came to bring freedom and redemption to all, we pray. Amen.

 

Prayers for Families Dealing with Loss of a Loved One or Other Grief

Dear God, We pray to hold this family close as they deal with grief over the loved one they lost. Everyone handles grief differently, so please give each person space and room to be able to experience grief instead of bottling it in. We pray for divine wisdom for any tough decisions that have to be made, and that everyone grieving may cling to Your truth more than anything else in life. Amen.

Prayers for Families Struggling With Mental Health Issues 

O God, we know that you are the source of all healing. We know that you created people to be perfect for the field of psychiatry, and created others with the ability to make medicine. However, we also know that divine intervention is what can truly change everything. We pray that anyone struggling with mental health can grab the hem of the garment of Jesus (Matthew 9:20-22) and be healed in ways that glorify your precious and Almighty name, Amen.

Prayers for Families Struggling to Make The Right Decisions 

O Lord, Sometimes we can lose ourselves trying to make the right decisions. However, You are not an author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). We ask that You provide guidance and wisdom that is more precious than rubies (Proverbs 8:11) and place Your fingerprints all over the right decisions so it becomes crystal clear. In your name we pray, Amen.

General Prayers for Other Types of Broken Families 

Good and Gracious God, we come to You with a heavy heart as we lift a prayer for any family that is facing a unique struggle. We are so thankful that impossible is not a word in your vocabulary. Please do what You do to show up in mighty ways that lead people to You. We come to You not for results, but for who You are. Amen.

Final Thoughts

Family heartache is one of the worst types of heartaches there can be. It can come with complicated emotions among family relationships and even past traumas. But if God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), and we want to become more like God, then we must wake up with a new heart each morning for these families and turn to God in prayer. 

In these difficult times, may God bless You and remind you constantly of His presence. Hopefully these prayers for a broken family can simply be a tool to start a process of talking through any type of family heartache with God.

Want more prayers? Try 20 different types of prayer that are both biblical and powerful!

Author

  • Jessie Synan

    Jessie Synan is a dedicated Christian social media strategist, helping over 30 ministries quadruple+ their size and reach in the digital world. When she's not crafting online strategies, she serves as a part-time children's coordinator at her local church. She has her MA in Theological Studies.

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