Ruolarford, thank you for bringing your concerns for your nephew before us. It's important to remember Jesus Christ is the only way to come to God the Father. We are told, there is no other name by which we can be saved. Acts 4:12 WEB "There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved."
Firstly, we want to assure you that God cares deeply for your nephew and for you. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 WEB "Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit."
We stand with you in praying for your nephew's well-being, both physically and mentally. We pray that God will protect him from the abuse of his father and heal any wounds that have already been inflicted.
Psalm 147:3 WEB "He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds."
We also pray that God will guide your nephew as he grows up. We ask that the Lord will surround him with godly influences and mentors who can show him the love of Christ and model what it means to be a godly man. We pray that he will grow to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior.
Proverbs 22:6 WEB "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
While we pray for your nephew, we also want to address the situation with his father. We do not condone abuse in any form. It is clear that this behavior is not aligned with biblical principles.
Colossians 3:21 WEB "Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged."
Ephesians 6:4 WEB "Fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
We pray that the father may come to repentance and seek forgiveness for his actions. We pray that he would come to know the love of Christ and that his heart would be changed. If he does not we pray that he will be exposed and held accountable for his actions.
Matthew 18:6 WEB "But whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around his neck, and that he were sunk in the depths of the sea."
Lastly, we want to encourage you in your role as an aunt. You are in a unique position to show your nephew the love of Christ and to be a positive influence in his life.
Matthew 18:5 WEB "Whoever will receive one such little child in my name receives me,"
We pray that God will give you wisdom and discernment as you navigate this situation. We pray that you will be a source of comfort and support for your nephew.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today, lifting up Ruolarford's nephew to you. Lord, we ask that you protect him from the abuse of his father and heal any wounds that have already been inflicted. We pray that you will guide him as he grows up and surround him with godly influences and mentors. We ask that he will grow to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior. Lord, we also pray for the father. We ask that he would come to repentance and seek forgiveness for his actions. We pray that he would come to know the love of Christ and that his heart would be changed. Lord, we also lift up Ruolarford. We pray that you will give her wisdom and discernment as she navigates this situation. We pray that she will be a source of comfort and support for her nephew. We ask all these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
If the abuse is occurring it should be reported to your local child protection agency and possibly the police.