Hi,

Could I humbly ask for prayer for my 16 year old son, Schuyler, my husband, Dave and my marriage. I remarried six years ago this coming July and it's been a roller coaster the entire time. I came into the marriage with a 10 year old son and my husband who is 14 years older than I has adult children and grandchildren. My husband who has been a Christian his entire life has not stepped up to being a step parent, male role model for my son. The only time he takes an interest in my son is when he wants to tell him he's doing something wrong. My son who is now 16 feels like he can not do anything right and he has been really hurt by the treatment of my husband. My son avoids my husband when he's home and hides in his room. Our pastor and wife have counseled us and have told him he needs to step up to what God's called him to do and his reply to this is that his father who was a Christian man and a not the man my husband feels a man should be wasn't involved in his life and so he went out and found strong Christian men to mentor and he feels my son should do the same thing. Our pastor disagrees with him and has told him he needs to step up...and my husband will not and this has caused an amount of pain and hurt within my heart, my son's life and my feelings towards my husband. I carry guilt because I haven't left before now but I feel like the Lord doesn't want me to leave...he wants me to sit still...it's hard and when I see him treat my son harshly without warrant I wonder if I'm just as bad as he is for allowing this to go on for as long as it has. He's extremely harsh and insensitive...he's never hit him but his words sting...it's emotional abuse.

I'm reminded of Joseph and all he went through when his brothers sold him into slavery and how he never turned his back on the Lord...he knew he was with him through all the difficulty and the Lord blessed him through it all...I just need some encouragement and prayer that the Lord would change my husband's heart, that he would help to soften my heart and that He would help to soften my son's heart towards the things of God. Thank you all for your prayers...I'm so grateful to you and our Heavenly Father for all He can do.

Clarissa

It's me again..I just registered which I should have done first. Thank you again for your prayers!!

Clarissa: I feel the pain you are having. I will be Praying for your husband to be the Father figure he needs to be. Some men want the wife but not the baggage (children) that comes with her. This is usually because they are selfish and posessive. I Pray this is not the case. Tell your son that Jesus said we are to Love those whom pursecute us and despitefully uses us.. I know that asking a lot for a 16 year old to do. Love is the key. God Bless you for asking for Prayer. ODIE

Clarissa, i have lifted up a prayer on your behalf.

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Pulling together in prayer out loud in front of our children not only teaches them to pray, but shows them they are worth our prayer. Try bringing your husband and your son together in prayer at the dinner table. It's a good start. Somtimes our family just needs a little kick start and the opening to tell each other how much we mean to each other. I am praying that all you pray for is already yours. Sharing with your family out loud what you are praying for is also a great blessing. You might be suprised. All my love and prayers for your family.

I would just like to thank each one of you for your prayers, I know the Lord hears our requests. I take comfort in knowing that He wants to the best for His children and suffering is all part of molding us into the men and women of Christ that He desires us to be. I'll continue to call out to Him knowing that He hears my every word and I am so grateful that you've prayed on my families behalf.

God Bless!