A Prayerful Approach to Supporting Your Loved One with an Eating Disorder Over the Holidays
Guest Blog Post By Beth Ask
The holidays are here! Sparkly decorations, shopping, festive parties, family time, and yes, food galore…enticing, delicious, and abundant. Many of us anticipate the holiday season with excitement and joy, but for someone with an eating disorder, this time can be filled with dread, fear, and anxiety.
If you have a loved one struggling with an eating disorder there are many resources that can be useful in navigating this challenging season. But in addition to these resources, have you considered the power of prayer? So often we rely on other means but don’t remember to pray for our loved one, or ourselves! Below are some things to consider when asking God to intercede.
So Why Pray?
Prayer is how we communicate with God. God wants to hear from you! Prayer can be a vital part of the healing journey and God’s Word has much to say about it. Jeremiah 29:12 tells us, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” God hears our prayers; He is near to us. From Psalm 145:18 we learn that “The Lord is near to all who call on Him; to all who call on Him in truth.”
So, we see that God puts great importance on prayer, but what do we ask for? Of course, we ask for healing, but there are other things we can pray for, some of which you may not have considered.
What to Pray For
Here are some suggestions as to what you can pray for your loved one who is struggling:
· They would have the strength to manage this challenging time of year.
· Others would be encouraging, not discouraging; they would know what to say and not say; what to do and not do.
· They would desire recovery and seek effective treatment.
· God would provide exactly the right treatment they need, and for the finances to access it.
· Compassion and wisdom for those providing treatment – physicians, dietitians, therapists, etc.
· Complete healing from their eating disorder and protection from relapse.
· They would have the strength to persevere; that they would see progress and be encouraged.
· That this struggle would draw them closer God and they would experience His healing touch.
And the list could go on and on. Seek God as anxious thoughts arise. Take your concerns to Him – there are no concerns too big or too small. If you’re comfortable and trust them to keep confidences, consider (and pray about) asking others to pray for your loved one and you. This too can be very comforting in knowing that others care and are seeking God on your behalf.
Love Well
Another way to support your loved one is to love well. The “love passage” from 1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7 often comes to mind…”Love is patient, love is kind…love endures all things.” Perhaps one of the best ways to help your loved one – during the holidays or any time – is to pray for yourself, too. It’s very human to get frustrated with our loved one and/or their eating disorder. We need God’s power to help us so we can in turn help our loved one. Pray this scripture verse back to God. Ask Him to help you love well…to be patient, to be kind, and to endure all things. Also ask Him how you can best put that into action. What can I do to best serve my loved one? God knows the answer better than we do.
Celebrate Gratitude
The holiday season is a time to be thankful. We shouldn’t limit our thankfulness to this time of year; we need to be grateful daily for what we have, including blessings we have seen for our loved one. Don’t forget to praise God for how you have seen Him answering prayer. If we ask Him to show us the blessings, He is faithful to do that. During tough times it may be more difficult to offer praise, but God will show us how to focus on encouragement instead of struggles. As we experience answered prayer in our Rock Recovery Prayer Support Group it is amazing how much we have thanked God for, even amid trials. (See below for more information on this wonderful prayer group.)
Pray, Trust and Hope
Prayer is a great refuge and comfort. We cannot “fix” our loved one’s situation and need to trust in the One who can. Scripture tells us to put our trust in God. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And from Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts you.” Romans 12:12 tells us to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Ask the Lord to help you trust and hope in Him and persevere in prayer.
Rock Recovery Prayer Support Group
Rock Recovery offers a free prayer support group for parents and loved ones of those struggling with an eating disorder. This group is designed to connect you with other parents and family members who are going through similar struggles. We would love to have you join us for this special time of community and prayer (click for more details).
About Beth Ask: Beth leads the Rock Recovery Prayer Support Group for Parents & Loved Ones. She has a passion to support others in prayer as they walk through the difficult journey of an eating disorder. She has found peace, comfort and hope from God’s Word and prayer as she has struggled with eating and food issues, both professionally and personally. Beth is a wife, mother, women’s ministry volunteer and Registered Dietitian. She also leads the Eating Disorders Day of Prayer held during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.