4 Prayers for Facing Your Parents' Divorce
Most people believe their parents will stay married forever, but sadly, that's not always the case. No kid wants to see their parents get divorced, and it's even more disturbing as an adult for your parents to get divorced. You wonder, have they always been unhappy? Did they stay married just for my sake? Did something happen between them to cause this? Being a child of divorce at any age can be heartbreaking and confusing, and the best thing to do is go to God with your thoughts, concerns, and emotions. Here are some prayers to help you face your parents' divorce.
Understanding the Emotional Impact of Divorce
Divorce is one of the most traumatic experiences anyone faces, and it affects everyone in the family. It signals the end of a relationship and can evoke a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anger, relief, and freedom. Understanding the emotional impact of divorce is important for everyone, not just the immediate family, but also friends and extended family who wish to offer support.
The five stages of divorce include:
Denial: Some people struggle to process that their marriage is over, thinking about better times, hoping for reconciliation, and downplaying the negative aspects of the relationship.
Anger: When the reality of divorce sets in, anger often bubbles up. People can feel angry at themselves, their spouses, or even friends and family members. This stage of divorce can manifest in frustration regarding the divorce process, feelings of betrayal, and resentment.
Bargaining: People in this stage may attempt to negotiate the terms of the divorce or wish to return to a happier time in their relationship.
Depression: Feelings of sadness and despair are common at this stage. Thinking about the outcomes of divorce can lead to feelings of loneliness, uncertainty about the future, a loss of identity, etc.
Acceptance: This final stage is about acceptance, which is crucial for emotional healing. It doesn't mean that everything is okay, but that the person acknowledges the end of their marriage and can focus on rebuilding their lives.
The Importance of Prayer in Healing
Prayer is the best thing we can do when going through hard times. Studies have shown that prayer can have enormous effects on the healing process. We always remember that God is always there for us and with us. There are different ways you can pray during the painful process of your parents' divorce.
Petitionary Prayer: This is when we pray and seek healing for ourselves and others.
Intercessory Prayer: This means praying on behalf of another person intending to relieve suffering or ask for divine intervention.
Thanksgiving Prayer: Expressing gratitude for blessings and healing already received.
Contemplative Prayer: This type of prayer is about experiencing a deeper connection with God.
You can use these prayers for healing throughout this painful journey.
1. A Prayer for Peace and Acceptance
1. A Prayer for Peace and Acceptance
Acceptance and peace are among the hardest things to find in a situation like this. Here are some prayers to help you open up to God with your thoughts and feelings.
Prayer 1: Dear Lord, I pray you will give me clarity about this situation, lead me to acceptance, and give me peace about how things will be for our family as we move forward. I'm having a hard time accepting that my parent's marriage is over, and I'm not sure what my relationship with both of them will look like from here on out. Please help me work through this. Amen.
Prayer 2: Dear Lord, I pray over this situation right now. Even though I'm heartbroken for my parents, I know I have to accept that they are going to get a divorce. Please help me come to a state of acceptance and give me peace going forward to navigate this situation and to help my parents when they need me. Amen.
Prayer 3: Dear Lord, accepting that my parents are divorcing is very hard for me right now. Even as an adult, I have so many emotions coming to the surface. I feel x, y, and z, and I need you to help me deal with and work through these emotions. Help me come to a state of acceptance and peace going forward. Amen.
Finding Strength Amid Change
There are two kinds of change: voluntary and involuntary. Finding out your parents are getting divorced is definitely an involuntary change that you will deal with. When we face change that is out of control, we can feel helpless. Here are some ways you can find strength during this change.
Embrace a Growth Mindset
Reframe Negative Thoughts: Instead of thinking, "I'll never get through this," think, "I've been through lots of things with my family and I will get through this."
Seek Feedback: Talk to your friends about how you are handling things and let them give you some constructive feedback. If you can, speak to your friends who have gone through the divorce of their parents for a balanced perspective. For example, if every time you see your dad, you berate him for having an affair behind your mom's back, take a deep breath and gather your thoughts before speaking.
Celebrate Small Victories: If you're able to have a conversation with your dad about his actions without getting into an argument, celebrate the progress you have made.
Practice Mindfulness
Being mindful means staying in the present moment, which can help reduce anxiety, depression, and uncertainty. Try meditating, praying, deep breathing, and journaling to help you feel more grounded during this time of change. You can do this by:
-Setting time aside each day to do a Christian meditation or to pray.
-Engage with your surroundings: Don't just go through your day on autopilot; take in the sights, sounds, and smells around you. This will help you stay in the moment and soak it up rather than thinking about the past or present.
-Keep a journal: Every day, journal your thoughts and feelings, seeking to process your emotions and recognize patterns in how you react to things.
Reach Out to Others
As humans, we do better when we're social, so reach out to your friends and family for support. Other ways you can do this are:
Communicate openly: Share your thoughts and feelings with the people you trust most.
Seek Professional Help: If you think talking to someone will be helpful, don't be afraid to seek professional help.
Join a Community Group: Specifically seek support groups for children of divorce or for adults who are navigating their parents' divorce.
Engage in Collaborative Activities
Participate in community activities to feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Socializing and taking part in a cause will help distract you from your problems for an afternoon or evening. This will help you contribute to something positive and enhance your own well-being.
Prioritize Self-Care
Even though you are probably trying to be there for your parent or parents, it doesn't mean you shouldn't prioritize your own self-care. You need time to decompress, process, and relax as well. Make sure you give yourself at least an hour every day to prioritize yourself, whether that's a bubble bath, catching up on a favorite TV show, getting a massage once a week, or reading a book. Be there for yourself, too.
Allow Yourself to Grieve
Change comes with loss, and you must give yourself time to grieve those losses. Give yourself time to process your emotions, which will lead to healing. Ways you can do this are:
Express Your Feelings: You can do this through talking, creating art, or playing music that correlates with your grief.
Engage in Routines: Consider having a memorial to honor what you've lost, which can facilitate healing. For example, if you always have a certain meal on Sunday with your family, make that meal as a memorial to help yourself heal.
Related: 4 Costly Consequences of Avoiding Grief
2. A Prayer for Communication and Understanding
2. A Prayer for Communication and Understanding
Communication and understanding are two of the hardest parts about divorce, no matter who is going through it. Here are some prayers to pray over your family.
Prayer 1: Dear Lord, I pray for my mom and dad right now. Please be with each of them as they navigate this new and painful chapter of their lives. I pray you will give them the right words to say to each other to facilitate clear understanding. In your name I pray. Amen.
Prayer 2: Dear Lord, please help me as I navigate this chapter with my parents. It's as hard for me as it is for them, as I grieve memories and traditions and the fact that I won't see them both in the same residence anymore. Please give me the words to explain my thoughts and feelings clearly so they will understand. Amen.
Prayer 3: Dear Lord, I pray for all members of my family right now. Everyone has their own opinion on what's happening, which can exacerbate my parents' feelings. Please give them all the words to communicate with each other in a way that everyone understands. In your name I pray. Amen.
Seeking Comfort in Loneliness
When you embrace loneliness, it's an act of courage and self-care. Some ways of seeking comfort in loneliness are:
Practicing mindfulness and meditation.
Engaging with nature.
Expressing yourself creatively.
Journaling
Establishing a new routine (if need be)
Building connections both in-person and virtually. Join a support group in your local area that you can attend in person, and also join a support group online for in-between in-person meetings.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kupicoo
3. A Prayer for Forgiveness and Letting Go
3. A Prayer for Forgiveness and Letting Go
Forgiveness and letting go are important in situations like these. Maybe you are feeling like you can't forgive a parent for what they did to the other one. Or maybe you're upset at something your stepparent did to your biological parent. It will take time to forgive them, especially with everything being so fresh in the moment. Here are some prayers to help.
Prayer 1: Dear Lord, please help my parents forgive each other in time and let go of the wrongs. Amen.
Prayer 2: Dear Lord, please help me forgive my parents for putting our family through this experience. You know I love them both very much, but this is difficult for me right now. Give me your wisdom and discernment on how to walk through this situation and come out more loving and forgiving on the other side. Amen.
Building Resilience Through Faith
Faith provides a blueprint for understanding life's problems and is a source of hope and strength. Here are some ways that faith helps build resilience.
-It provides meaning and purpose.
-Fosters community and support through believers gathering together.
-Promotes emotional well-being.
-Encourages positive thinking and hope.
-Instilling coping mechanisms.
4. A Prayer for Family Unity Despite Separation
4. A Prayer for Family Unity Despite Separation
Here is a prayer for your family's unity despite separation.
Dear Lord, I pray over my family right now. Please help us put down our feelings, negative thoughts, and other issues to unite around my parents and support them through this most difficult time. Guide each family member as they spend time with my parents and help them manage their reactions to different things. Above all, please help us stay united as a family as we transition to a new chapter in our lives. Amen.
Embracing Hope for the Future
Just because your family feels broken now doesn't mean you can't have hope for the future. In time, your parents will move into new chapters of their lives, and you will find new routines you like doing with each one. Ask God to help you grasp and hold on to the hope that one day your family will feel whole again in a whole different way.
Originally published September 17, 2025.
