That None Should Perish

June 16, 2026

Note: I was going to post the final chapter of Matthew, Chapter 5:37-49, You Are to Be The Light To The World, but Jesus put this on my heart and it needs to be posted and addressed before we can go any further.

There are several types of barriers to unanswered prayer and we will be exploring those, but this one has been speaking to my heart; Generational Grudges.

What?

Think about your family history, the stories that have been passed down from your grandparents to your parents, and then down to you. Are you passing that down to your children? Yes, it is good to pass down stories as that helps define you. Helps to show your character, strengths, and your personality. It shapes your character. Who you have become as you learned these stories from family?

But what about the other things that came along with family stories? The luggage that is not yours. Yes, it came along with the stories.

Think about it. Some of that luggage disguised as a story does not belong to you. You had nothing to do with it. So, why are you holding onto it?

Example: Aunt So-So talked to a friend, and the friend misunderstood it and became upset. Aunt So-So thought it was innocent, but Friend was offended. Friend decided she didn’t want to talk to Aunt So-So, and a rift developed.

And a tiny little weed was sown.

A rift between those two started to grow wider. And it started to spread. Yes, like a weed, it spread to the husband who then was upset with Aunt So-So and her family. That weed was passed down from an older generation to another and finally down to you.

That “weed” doesn’t belong to you! You were not there when it happened. You had nothing to do with it! So, why are you allowing this weed to spread?

Satan, the father of lies, wants to keep you trapped in that weed that is growing and entangling YOU, keeping you away from forgiveness.

Yes, generational grudges can absolutely act as a barrier to answered prayer. Holding onto bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness—especially family feuds passed down over time—creates a spiritual blockade. It damages your relationship with God and makes it hard to experience His peace.

Why Grudges Block Prayers

• The Spiritual Rule: God calls you to forgive others if you want Him to forgive you. The Bible highlights unforgiveness as a major barrier to communication with God. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” — Mark 11:25
• The Heart Problem: Grudges act like a wall. When you hold onto anger or hate, your heart is not in the right place to receive God’s love and answers.

How to Break the Barrier

You can clear this barrier by taking a few brave steps:

1. Identify the Grudge: Find any family feuds you are a part of.
2. Choose to Forgive: You must actively choose to let go of the anger.
3. Pray for Peace: Pray for the people your family holds a grudge against.

It is time to pull that weed out, Pray and break that barrier between you and God.

AMEN.