melt down
"I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!" —Luke 12:49
Jesus wants to set the world on fire (Lk 12:49). This fire is that of a blast furnace — a fire so hot it will separate impurities from metal (see 1 Pt 1:7). Jesus wants to set our families on fire. He wants to blast our families with such a fire that it will melt them down and divide anything in our families which is put together contrary to God's will (see Lk 12:51ff).
Will you pray for holy fire to consume your family? "Our God is a consuming Fire" (Heb 12:29). Therefore, it's a fearful but necessary thing to fall into His hands (see Heb 10:31). Pray for your family to be fire-tried (1 Pt 1:7) and fire-purified (see Mal 3:2-3). When your prayer is answered, you may initially be alarmed as you see the sin and unforgiveness in your family rise quickly to the surface. Nevertheless, pray on and pray through. Pray by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). The situation may have to look worse before it really gets better. Keep praying for God's fire and our repentance to finally result in family unity with each other and with God forever. "Let the fire fall."
Prayer: Father, may I not be so concerned about burnout that I never catch fire.
Promise: "That is why I kneel before the Father from Whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name; and I pray that He will bestow on you gifts in keeping with the riches of His glory." —Eph 3:14-16
Praise: With God's protection, Anthony survived fifteen assassination attempts.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996