August 12, 2010

Praying for Prodigals

The term "prodigal" can mean many things to people.  It is certainly a term that can be defined by personal experiences.  I know for many, it is a gut wrenching experience through which the whole family is exposed to drugs and alcohol or other life-altering behaviors.  But for others, their prodigal may simply be that one child in the family who has left everything their parents have taught them behind, and walked away from God.

I am experiencing the pain of watching my oldest find her own way.  I always thought as a Mom that I could teach her the way so that she wouldn't have to face the pain of making her own mistakes and finding her own path.  But I was wrong.  She is nearly an adult now, and my instruction and encouragement is but a mere whisper compared to the loud voice of the society around her.  She has always been and continues to be a very responsible and level-headed child.  She hasn't gone off the deep end, by any means.  But my heart hurts because she has turned her back on her God and her Savior.

It is difficult for this Mother to not blame herself.  What could I have done differently?  Where did I go wrong?  Maybe I didn't spend enough time teaching her and discipling her.  Maybe I haven't prayed hard enough or long enough for her.

But these thoughts would be from a woman trying to hold on.  These are my thoughts when I forget that she is God's child, not mine.  These are thoughts that carry me away when I want to have control over the situation.  These are thoughts that can eat me alive and Satan uses to accuse.  These are my thoughts, a Mother, grieving that her oldest child can't or won't find her way back to her Savior.  And I weep for all that she is missing.  I grieve that God is longing to hold her again in his arms and take it all away. 

And I pray

Prayers for my prodigal

Scripture for any prodigal

  • Turn to the Lord God with all her heart & soul
  • Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it - Romans 34:14
  • God, rescue her and deliver her in your righteousness, turn your ear to her and save her - Psalm 71:2
  • Turn her heart toward God's statutes and not toward selfish gain - Psalm 119:36
  • See, hear, understand, turn and be healed
  • Sweep away her offenses, that she may return to God redeemed - Isaiah 44:22
  • She is God's precious child
  • God will rescue her as a lamb who has strayed from the flock
  • She would long for her relationship with God to be restored
  • Open her eyes to God's truth
  • Receive God's love and forgiveness
  • Take back what the enemy has stolen
 And I lift her before the Throne of the Almighty God.  She is His. 

4 comments:

  1. I am praying for you! My oldest (17) is heading down that path...the thing that brings me the most comfort is knowing that we are responsible for our obedience and God takes care of the outcome. And, I think of all the things God taught me through making my own mistakes...little comfort for a mama's heart, I know but the best I have come up with.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Indeed, a Mother's heart going through the pain of watching her child becoming independent! Oh, the fears!
    Hang on to the promise that I did..."Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Prov 22:6.
    Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

    Unfortunately, they must endure the bumps along the way when they choose to go their way instead of God's way. It seems we all have to learn that the hard way.
    Prayer is the only solace now and knowing you provided the best training you could as God lead you. Now you must wait for the results.
    Just hang on to the promises and keep praying....

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just want to say that I understand your pain. In a lot of ways, I'm in the same boat you're in, with my 19 year old son. I have to admit, I don't like many of the choices he's making, and I often wonder what I should've done differently. At this point, though, I think all we can do is pray that God will move in these children's lives. I pray everyday that my son will feel God's presence. I will pray for you and your daughter, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am praying with you. I have 3 brothers that were raised the same way I was and none of them are living like they should. I know I make mistakes, but I also know I can go to God for forgiveness. They just look at me and others when we make mistakes and call us hypocrites. They don't speak to me unless they have to and it is a concern for our mother with Alzheimer's. Thank you for sharing the scripture. Stopping by from iFellowship!

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad you that you stopped by today! What's on your mind?

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...