When we are estranged

The distance between my son and me breaks my heart, and I bring that broken place to You again today. I miss him. I miss the ordinary things most: hearing his voice, knowing what fills his days, laughing about something only we would understand. Though I cannot set a place for him at my table right now, I still set a place for him in my prayers.

Show me what depends on me. If I caused harm, give me courage to name it plainly, apologize without defending myself, and make whatever repair is possible. Help me respect the silence that remains. Keep me from using guilt, other relatives, or repeated messages to force an answer.

You know the whole story without choosing easy sides. Hold both of us in truth and mercy. Protect my heart from bitterness, and protect me from pretending that reconciliation is simple when wounds are deep. Teach me the difference between leaving the door open and standing at it every hour.

Father, keep my love for my son from hardening into anger or collapsing into despair. Bless him in the life I cannot see. Let my prayers go where my words cannot. If peace between us becomes possible, prepare me to receive it with humility. Until then, help me remain faithful in love, honest in grief, and quiet enough to follow Your wisdom.