Journey With Prayer | Building Belonging Beyond Bloodlines

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:00:00

This is Journey with Prayer, a contemplative prayer journey corresponding to our episode, Family Beyond Blood, part 1, the path to belonging with our guest, Danica. Father The fatherless and protector of widows is god in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home. Psalm 68 5 to 6 in the ESV. Precious and loving father, we come before you with hearts overflowing with gratitude Latitude for the ways you comfort and care for those who've experienced loss and loneliness. Father of the fatherless and protector fear of the lonely. We thank you for your promise to settle the solitary in a home, and we praise you for the incredible assurance that you're intimately involved in the lives of those who have faced brokenness and separation. Thank you, lord, for being our refuge and our strength in times of trial and uncertainty.

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:01:09

And we lift up to you those who are feeling the weight of isolation and longing for the security of a loving family. We ask that you surround them with your unfailing love and provide them with spiritual mothers and fathers who can offer guidance, support, love, and understanding. Father, grant them the peace that surpasses all understanding and the assurance that they are never alone, that they are loved, and that you are with them. And as we navigate the complexities of family dynamics and the impact of past experiences, god, we pray for wisdom and discernment. Help us to be vessels of comfort and compassion, extending love and empathy to those who are in need. May we be instruments of your grace, nurturing unconventional family structures, in fostering genuine connections that reflect your unconditional love. And in the midst of the challenges we face, We trust you. We trust in your sovereignty and your provision.

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:02:14

We declare that you are our rock, our fortress, You're our deliverer. Lord, we humbly seek your guidance as we strive to love others better, recognizing that your divine providence is at work in every detail of our lives. Amen. So as you go through your week, take these topics into your daily walk in your prayer lives. 1st evolve. Reflect. Take the time to reflect on your own childhood experiences and the impact that they had on your relationships with family members. Consider how these experiences have shaped your identity and perspective.

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:02:56

And then engage. Engage in conversations with friends or family members about the importance of understanding and supporting individuals who've experienced trauma in their early years. Share our previous episode with them and listen to their perspectives. And lastly, Pray. Engage in intentional prayer throughout the week, focusing on the following 3 prayer points. 1, Pray for those who have experienced fractured family relationships during their formative years, asking for healing and restoration in their family dynamics. Number 2, pray for the wisdom and compassion to support and understand individuals who have faced childhood trauma and ask for Opportunities to be a source of comfort and encouragement to them. 3, pray for personal transformation, asking god to help you develop a deeper empathy an understanding towards those who have faced challenges in their early years and for guidance in how to best support and love others through their healing journey.

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:04:01

Thank you for listening to Journey with Prayer. For more resources and information, visit journey with care dot