Before my kids were born, I had an idealistic view of what parenting would be like. But it didn’t take long for my plans to be upended as the beautiful yet challenging adventure began.
What struck me most was the independence exerted by each of my kids, an independence that sometimes led them down compromising paths. For reasons I still ponder, I naively believed my children would be immune to compromise, especially when it came to matters of faith. I envisioned them navigating their walk with God with ease and certainty, never straying from His principles.
However, I’ve come to realize we’re all on our own journey, and for some, the road back to the Savior is long and difficult. Yet, I rest in the assurance that my family is held in the embrace of God’s sovereign plan. I trust that the Lord is at work, weaving His perfect will through our lives, including the lives of our prodigals.
With each passing day, I’m learning to release my fears and failures to Him, reminding myself of His promises and the hope He offers. I cling to the belief that no matter how far they may wander, there is always a path back home.
If you’re wondering what God’s plans might be for your prodigal, take comfort in these promising Scriptures.
He Desires to Save Them
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (ESV)
I probably don’t need to ask this, but is your prodigal son or daughter included in your prayers? Are you diligently praying for them with thanksgiving in your heart?
I know how difficult it is to keep interceding when you don’t see the fruit of your petitions. But don’t grow weary! Galatians 6:9 spurs us on, saying, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Imagine the beautiful harvest of your child’s heart ready to receive Christ. What a wonderful day that will be!
I love the parable of the persistent widow when Jesus emphasized the importance of praying and never giving up. He said, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you he will see that they get justice, and quickly” (Luke 18:7-8).
My friends, we are free to call upon the Lord, day and night. He wants to hear our prayers and petitions. Jesus removed the veil so we could enter into God’s presence and tell Him everything.
Draw near to God today, and let your desires be made known. Be persistent in prayer, believing in faith for your prodigal’s return.
He Wants Their Eyes to Be Open
“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18
Paul’s miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus is one of the most comforting passages for parents of prodigals. From murderer to martyr, Paul's life was transformed in an instant by a glorious encounter with Jesus.
As we read Paul’s story, we see the great commission Jesus placed on his life. He was sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles, turn them from darkness to light, and deliver them from the power of Satan to God. Paul’s testimony is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone to be captured by God’s love and redemption.
All along, God’s plan has been to open people’s eyes to His free gift of salvation. We can trust Him to meet our prodigals right where they are, offering them new life in Christ. Let’s remember Paul’s Damascus journey with renewed hope for our loved ones. The Lord still speaks today, drawing people out of darkness and into His glorious light.
He Seeks Them
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
Does God keep pursuing us even when we run away? This is a serious question that requires a serious answer. For parents of prodigals, it’s tempting to assume our kids have gone too far, pushed too hard, or run too fast. But remember Isaiah 59:1, which says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”
In this post by Debbie McDaniel, she says, “Some days, we just need a reminder, that God is intimately involved in all that concerns us. Maybe we've been praying for something and still don't see the answer. Maybe a door closed that we were really hoping would open. Maybe we're battling discouragement and defeat, or we're burdened for the lives of those we love...He knows. He cares.”
My friends, we can absolutely trust God to keep pursuing our prodigals with His limitless love. The word of His mouth has the power to change even the most wayward heart. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
As you wait for your prodigal to return, pray the Scriptures aloud. Speak life and truth over them, believing God for greater things. Resist thoughts that they’ve run too far and remember no creature under heaven is hidden from God’s sight. He still seeks. He still saves.
He Makes the Way Clear
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
In one of my previous posts, Why Is There Only One Way to Heaven?, I share, “Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His way is sure, and His path is open to all. What a divine blessing to be given the exact directions to eternity! There is no guesswork. There is no re-calculating the journey. Jesus paved the way once and for all.”
Sadly, many prodigals feel they’re unworthy of salvation. If we were to take a poll, we’d likely hear answers such as:
“I’m too lost.”
“I’ll never be good enough.”
“I can’t live up to God’s standards.”
“It’s hopeless.”
In contrast, Jesus made the way of salvation as clear as possible. God’s greatest plan for your prodigal is to save them. He loves them with an everlasting love and wants nothing more than for them to repent, believe, and be saved. You can trust Him every step of the way. Do you believe this today?
More Resources for Your Journey:
10 Affirmations for the Parent of a Prodigal Child
7 Prayers for Your Prodigal Child
10 Reasons to Trust God with Your Prodigal Child
Photo Credit: ©Halfpoint
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.