TW: This is not meant to excuse Toxic/Abusive Behavior (more at the end)
God this is a prayer
for all the family members
who aren’t talking to one another
because I have that right now…
on both sides…and I get that
and honestly, all the sides have some kinds of points
Some bigger, and some smaller…
but it’s really not my job to sort
And the reality is, because it’s a family thing
everyone is involved
(parents, adult children, the adult sibs of course and the niflings* tangentially)
And everyone is just so sad
and angry…that we all know the truth
that no one is going to win
because it’s not really a fight right now
Just a sea of disappointment, and tears
and it hurts to talk about it
and it hurts more not to…
So this is a prayer for the holidays,
for all those family members who have lost touch
or haven’t talked
or can’t talk this year
Because, you know God,
(and maybe only you know God)
what is really going on there.
And it’s times like these, I think that this is why
we don’t read the prodigal son, coin, sheep parables at Christmas–
because even though that are exactly what Christmas is all about
they hurt too much–
they, Holy Spirit here it comes,
hit too close to home.
So sit with us God, the broken families,
wishing our families were whole again,
and help us as the time of advent
waiting
becomes all too real,
again,
we pray.
Amen.
Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
*Gender Neutral term for nieces and nephews, Nibling is much more common but I like the sound of nifling
Additional Note: Please Note this is not meant to be an excuse or apology for toxic or abusive family members. Also sometimes the only protection some people have is to walk away from family, even if some people miss them. If you need to do that I encourage you to do so! In family systems the only person you can work on is yourself and so a safe action to do is break away from your family system to do the work. Holy Spirit help you if that is the hard work you need to get done. I’m praying this prayer for me and the work I need to do–and not for pity.
katyandtheword 