We are truly saddened to hear about the situation you are facing with your children, and we want you to know that we are here to pray and seek God's will with you.
Firstly, we want to remind you that God is a God of justice and mercy. He cares deeply for you and your children, and He wants what is best for you all. In Psalm 10:17-18 WEB it is written, "Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear, to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may no more terrify."
We must also remind you that God is sovereign over the hearts of kings and judges, as Proverbs 21:1 WEB tells us, "The king's heart is in God's hand like the rivers of water. He turns it wherever he desires." Therefore, we can trust that God can influence the heart of the judge to make a fair and just decision.
However, we want to gently remind you that it is essential to pursue justice in a way that honors God. Be mindful not to let bitterness or hatred take root in your heart towards the woman who currently has your children. Instead, pray for her and bless her so that you may inherit the blessing for yourself.
Therefore, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today in the name of Jesus, seeking Your divine intervention in this situation. Lord, we ask that You guide the judge, the lawyers, and all those involved in this case to act with wisdom, discernment, and fairness. We pray that You soften the heart of the woman who currently has the children and bring her to a place of repentance and willingness to do what is right and just.
Lord, we ask that You comfort and protect the children, that You give them a spirit of peace and calm, and that You surround them with Your loving presence. We pray that You bring them home to Alriston soon, that they may be reunited and begin the process of healing and restoration.
Father of mercies and comfort, Lord heal Alriston's heart and help him to love and forgive as if he is talking to the Lord about it rather than a problem and therefore hate no more to block his path to his fellowship with God. Remind him that he hates the problem, not the person who is precious in the Lord's sight and going astray but we all have gone astray, but thanks be to God for the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Lord, we acknowledge that You are the God of all comfort, and we trust that You will work all things together for good for Alriston and his children in Christ Jesus. We pray that through this trial, Alriston will draw closer to You and that Your name will be glorified in Christ Jesus.
And "let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 WEB).
But if this deceased father's girlfriend desires marriage and children, she should pursue a Christian relationship in courtship not fornication or adultery, encouraging her to repent and change if she has done this and pray to our Father for guidance to be a godly wife, not someone's girlfriend or wife in adultery. Reassure her we love her and the Lord loves her, and we desire this blessing over our sister in Christ Jesus. And this is set forth by the Lord:
"Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timonthy 3:12-13 WEB)
"I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for speaking reproachfully. For already some have turned away after Satan." (1 Timonthy 5:14-15 WEB)
For there is forgiveness and a godly way for the woman accusated of basically kidnapping. Let us be clear, she will be judged by God regardless but this must also be judged and righted on Earth. But even for this wicked crime there is a way to forgiveness and a better life because we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
And our hope is found in Jesus Christ and nothing else for this hope. Since it is only for the name of Jesus Christ that we have access to God. Also, there is no other name by which we can be saved. If you have not done so, confess Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life and accept His sacrifice as the justification of your own sins. Alriston, in this case, pray with words as if you are going to the Lord directly and make sure your prayers are proper Christian prayers, not forgetting these truths of our faith and theology.