Reflect
Family relationships can be the most joyful ones we have—but they can also be the most strained. May this prayer aid you as you integrate the good with the bad in these intimate relationships.
Pray
Holy Trinity, you exist in community and have mercy on my imperfect attempts
to live and love in family life.
Thank you for the gift of family.
I pray that even when it is hard, I will choose patience, gentleness, and self-control
in the relationships you have given me.
May I treat my loved ones with grace today.
Amen.
Act
Make a point of practicing intentional gratitude for your family members today by speaking affirmations, sending a card, or journaling a list of thanks.
4 thoughts on “Repairing Family Relationships”
Today’s prayer for family is very nice.
Some of us come from families that are irreparably broken. But the entire family can’t be all that bad. Surely there are parts that can still be used, unless you are the problem. Families matter. Otherwise, one has to bite the bullet and move on. How many of us come from wholesome families? Not many, I’ll bet. If one has decent parents, then one is lucky. If a person has decent parents, but lousy siblings, then not so much. If one has lousy parents, then I can’t identify with you, sorry. You’ll have to discuss your problems with a professional. But whatever you do, don’t throw away your good memories with the bad. No one comes from a vacuum. But do spend time to make sense of yourself and your life. God knows us better than we know ourselves. Thank God for our faith. And yes, our faith community matters too, but our immediate family first. Perhaps we can all pray to Blessed Fr. Adolph Kolping, another patron saint of families, beside Saints Joseph and Mary.
Lord Jesus Christ, inflame our hearts with your love and make us clean and whole in body, mind, and spirit. May we never doubt your love nor cease to tell others of your mercy and compassion. Amen.
Soy divorciado vuelto a casar…
… En lo personal, me he dado cuenta de que uno debe y tiene que prestarle más atención a las sanas relaciones fraternas con aquellas personas que forman parte importante de nuestra vida.