Difficult relationships are worth praying for because:
Prayer changes our focus.
When we consider who we pray to—God, who is much bigger than our problem and ourselves—it helps change our perspective.
Prayer changes things.
It invites God to come and work in our difficult relationships to help put things right.
Prayer is a channel for our despair.
In prayer we can speak freely to God about how we feel. We pour out our pain. We can be honest with God, having full confidence in God’s understanding of the situation, without judgment.
Passionate prayer and peace go hand in hand.
When we practice leaving the problems and pain of our difficult relationships with God, we are promised peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says:
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.
Prayer changes us.
In prayer we discover how we’re hindering our relationships.
We have to listen to God to learn from him, to get his perspective on our troubling relationship and learn the part we may play in contributing to the problems. Yet, we have nothing to fear in listening to what God has to do say. He is a gentle teacher.
Then, we have an opportunity to reshape the way we think. We learned the negative thoughts we have in a difficult relationship are like arrows sent from our spiritual enemy.
Prayer is our spiritual weapon for spiritual warfare.
Fight. And when wounded, keep coming to God with the hurt you are experiencing. You will be healed. It may take time. The wounds may open up again, but keep crying out to God for his help.
The animosity will go. You will end up being kind to each other. You will no longer feel the anger and pain. Your very large God will make it possible.
Prayer changes us for the better.
Prayer changes other people, too.
Tweet ThisThis may not happen immediately. It may take many days, weeks or months with God in prayer. Don’t give up.
Yet, more than praying for just your difficult relationships, pray for all your relationships.
Pray for relationships before they get to the point of being troublesome and challenging.
Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. 1 Timothy 2:1 MSG
Pray for one or two people each day of the month. Download the Monthly Prayer List below to make a list of people to pray for. Put one or two names next to each day of the month. Make a prayer list of family members, friends, work colleagues.
Keep praying for the people in your life.  God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (Ephesians 3:20 MSG)
Prayer puts the power and control right back into the One who enables us to love well …
Amen.
Good advice! It’s amazing how prayer can change our perspective!
Yes, Lesley, so thankful for a God who can change our minds.
I have been working on my difficult relationships. I found that the more I pray the better my relationships get. With God all things are possible.
Jamie, that is fabulous news about your relationships. 🙂
I am focusing on positive relationships, I have been delivered of one situation, he has lightened my burdens. Really, it it best to focus on Him.
That’s so encouraging to hear, Rebecca. Keep at it! 🙂