A few summers ago our faith community was shaken when two young people experienced life-threatening accidents. In both instances, our community went into action via various social media forums to spread the word and request immediate prayer. Within a few hours, people throughout the country were praying for the healing of these two precious souls. God performed several miracles on both of these individuals that were not expected to survive. Today they are both thankful to alive.

While praying for these two individuals, we were struck by the thousands of equally great tragedies that occur every day yet go largely unnoticed in the Christian community. No one is calling the faithful to pray for these individuals. We are heartbroken over the lack of concern for these suffering souls. Why have we grown so numb to an epidemic that is destroying hundreds of thousands of lives every year? Lord, have mercy on us for being so uncaring for those who are suffering in our midst.

The plague that is being essentially ignored is the breakup of the family. Where are the prayer chains lifting these families up to the Lord? Where are the Facebook or CaringBridge pages asking everyone to pray for these families that are being ripped apart by the evil one? Where is the call to action in the Christian community to support these families in their dire need? Why is the Church silent to the issue of divorce and the breakup of families? Is it because it happens so often we no longer take notice? God forgive us for our lack of concern for those suffering the breakup of home and family.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (Jas 1:27)

The divorce rate in the church is the same as in the general public. Our faith has been polluted by the world. We have lost sight of what it means to love without counting the cost. We no longer offer our lives for the good of another. We are just like the world in all of its selfish pursuits and desires. As common as it is in our society, no one wants to talk about family strife, disharmony and divorce. We believe that people feel that if they just ignore the destruction that is happening around them, it will not happen to them. No one wants to get involved when a family is being ripped apart by the great deceiver. Lord, please forgive our hardness of heart towards those husbands and wives and children suffering from the breakup of a marriage and family.

We are in a spiritual battle for the health and well-being of our marriages and families. A spiritual battle requires spiritual warfare. Our front line of defense for the attacks of Satan on the family is to bombard heaven with prayer.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zec 4:6)

Only God can change hearts hardened by selfishness and sin. Let your church family know about your situation and ask them to pray without ceasing for the healing of your marriage. Many in the midst of family strife and divorce are embarrassed to let others know of their situation. Do not waste the opportunity to have people pray for you, your spouse and your children.

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” (2 Chr 7:13-15)

Does your church community have a weekly day of prayer and fasting for families that are in strife? Every week, we offer a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament for the building of strong, healthy and holy marriages. If your church is not praying for marriages, ask your Pastor if you can organize a prayer ministry for the intention of marriages and families. The Christian community needs to respond to the breakup of a family just as it does in the case of natural disasters, war, sickness and life-threatening accidents. Our society is falling apart and it is because of the breakup of the family. We need to rally support to raise marriages and families to God for His healing touch on a regular, consistent and fervent basis. We have to turn the tide and bring healing where it is most needed today, the family.

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. (Ez 22:30)

We live among the walking wounded, victims of the scourge of family strife and divorce. If we are to change the direction our society has taken, together we need to garner support for organized prayer focused on families in distress. Do not let the suffering of those in troubled marriages be in vain. God hears the cries of His people and sees their suffering. He has a loving and compassionate heart, desiring to bring healing to homes and families. The future of the world and the church depends on strong, healthy and holy families. Please join us in this fight.

I will rejoice…and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. (Is 65:19)

Peace and blessings through our Lord Jesus Christ.