Praying for the Prodigals
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:17-20, (NIV).
Read Here
Every believer knows people who once were on fire for God, but who have allowed that fire to grow dim. For whatever reason they have stopped attending church, have walked away from fellowship with other believers, and have avoided other Christians. They don't pray anymore. They don't read their Bible. Their hearts have grown cold to the things of God.
But our Father's heart has not grown cold toward them. Just like the father from the parable of the Prodigal Son, our heavenly Father is waiting patiently for them to return to Him. And His Holy Spirit is at work in their lives, wooing them back to their first love.
Think about those in your life that have drifted away from God. Perhaps they were hurt by someone in the church. Maybe there is a hidden stronghold of sin in their lives for which they need deliverance. They may have guilt from this habitual sin that is keeping them from an intimate relationship with God. Whatever the reason, they need to be reminded of God's kindness to them.
The Bible tells us that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance.
Perhaps these people need to see the goodness of God through you? Is there something that you can do to show the grace and love of the Lord to the prodigals in your life?
The greatest act of kindness is to pray for your lost friends. Ask the Lord to heal their hearts. Pray that the scales would drop from their eyes and that they would clearly see God's love for them. Pray that they would be reminded of the faithfulness of God in their lives.
Remember the Scriptural promise concerning those around us who are lost: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:8).
Like the father of the Biblical prodigal, our heavenly Father is watching for these wayward children to come back to Him -- and when they do, He will run to them and bestow His love upon them.
Action Point
Who in your life is far from the Lord? List the prodigals in your personal sphere. Begin to pray for their revival as you have prayed for your own. Pray that they would recognize their sin. Pray that they would have a renewed humility and a spirit of repentance. Pour your soul out before the Lord today, interceding on their behalf.
Is it your child? Your best friend? Your brother, sister, or parent? The Lord wants all to know Him. Ask a friend to pray with you for the return of these wayward ones. Clothe yourself daily with the full armor of God, and pray with authority over the enemy's strongholds in their lives. Pray that they would be protected from harm and that they would be strengthened. Pray for influential Christians to come into their lives to guide them back to the Lord.
Finally, try to find some way to demonstrate God's love to them in a tangible way. Maybe they need some help around the house? You might want to offer to watch their children or help them with the laundry. You can invite them over for dinner, or to watch a movie. Look for opportunities to reach out to them -- and don't be dismayed if they don't respond right away. With time and prayer you might just win their trust and help them on their path back to the Father.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for those around me who have turned away from their first love for you. I ask you to heal their hearts. I pray that the scales would drop from their eyes, that they would know your love. Please remind them of your faithfulness in their lives. Like the Biblical Prodigal, I pray that they would recognize their sin and the results of it. I ask that your Holy Spirit will draw them back to the Father.
Help me to reach out to them with acts of kindness. I ask you to open up opportunities for me to share your love with my brothers and sisters. As you give me these divine appointments, I pray that I will be sensitive to listen, bold to speak the truth in love, and compassionate to lend my support as they work to renew their commitment to you.
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:17-20, (NIV).
Read Here
Every believer knows people who once were on fire for God, but who have allowed that fire to grow dim. For whatever reason they have stopped attending church, have walked away from fellowship with other believers, and have avoided other Christians. They don't pray anymore. They don't read their Bible. Their hearts have grown cold to the things of God.
But our Father's heart has not grown cold toward them. Just like the father from the parable of the Prodigal Son, our heavenly Father is waiting patiently for them to return to Him. And His Holy Spirit is at work in their lives, wooing them back to their first love.
Think about those in your life that have drifted away from God. Perhaps they were hurt by someone in the church. Maybe there is a hidden stronghold of sin in their lives for which they need deliverance. They may have guilt from this habitual sin that is keeping them from an intimate relationship with God. Whatever the reason, they need to be reminded of God's kindness to them.
The Bible tells us that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance.
Perhaps these people need to see the goodness of God through you? Is there something that you can do to show the grace and love of the Lord to the prodigals in your life?
The greatest act of kindness is to pray for your lost friends. Ask the Lord to heal their hearts. Pray that the scales would drop from their eyes and that they would clearly see God's love for them. Pray that they would be reminded of the faithfulness of God in their lives.
Remember the Scriptural promise concerning those around us who are lost: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:8).
Like the father of the Biblical prodigal, our heavenly Father is watching for these wayward children to come back to Him -- and when they do, He will run to them and bestow His love upon them.
Action Point
Who in your life is far from the Lord? List the prodigals in your personal sphere. Begin to pray for their revival as you have prayed for your own. Pray that they would recognize their sin. Pray that they would have a renewed humility and a spirit of repentance. Pour your soul out before the Lord today, interceding on their behalf.
Is it your child? Your best friend? Your brother, sister, or parent? The Lord wants all to know Him. Ask a friend to pray with you for the return of these wayward ones. Clothe yourself daily with the full armor of God, and pray with authority over the enemy's strongholds in their lives. Pray that they would be protected from harm and that they would be strengthened. Pray for influential Christians to come into their lives to guide them back to the Lord.
Finally, try to find some way to demonstrate God's love to them in a tangible way. Maybe they need some help around the house? You might want to offer to watch their children or help them with the laundry. You can invite them over for dinner, or to watch a movie. Look for opportunities to reach out to them -- and don't be dismayed if they don't respond right away. With time and prayer you might just win their trust and help them on their path back to the Father.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for those around me who have turned away from their first love for you. I ask you to heal their hearts. I pray that the scales would drop from their eyes, that they would know your love. Please remind them of your faithfulness in their lives. Like the Biblical Prodigal, I pray that they would recognize their sin and the results of it. I ask that your Holy Spirit will draw them back to the Father.
Help me to reach out to them with acts of kindness. I ask you to open up opportunities for me to share your love with my brothers and sisters. As you give me these divine appointments, I pray that I will be sensitive to listen, bold to speak the truth in love, and compassionate to lend my support as they work to renew their commitment to you.