Prodigal Son’s Prayer

QUESTION: Prodigal Son’s Prayer – How can I help my wayward child?

ANSWER:

Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

"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.

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate” (John 15-11-24).

Prodigal Son’s Prayer – When The Story Becomes Personal
If you are a parent dealing with a wayward or prodigal child, you may be asking how to pray for him or her. As parents, we grieve over choices our children make. There is great power in a praying parent! And God draws near to the brokenhearted:

Lamentations 2:19 says, “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children. . .”

You may be a parent who is “pouring out your heart like water” in God’s presence. Praying. Pleading. Begging for God’s infinite mercy to fall on your child at this very moment.

You may have a child who is using drugs or suffering from alcoholism. You may have one who is in prison or juvenile detention. Or you may have a son or daughter who is consistently making wrong choices.

Whatever the need, take heart that your Lord and Savior already knows all about it. He hears your heartfelt cry to Him. He wants to mend that broken heart of yours.

When you “pour out your heart like water,” you may feel empty. Emotionally spent. Drained. Psalm 22:14 says, “I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax, it has melted away within me.”

It’s at that moment that you don’t feel you can cry another tear or pray another word. Don’t worry. The Spirit intercedes on your behalf. The Father knows your need...always. And He will answer in His time and in His ways. That we can be certain of, without a doubt.

How do we as Christian parents endure a broken heart in times of great distress such as this?

• Trust – Remember that God is all-knowing, in control, and has a plan and a purpose.
• Keep praying. Be persistent. Develop prayer partners. Keep pouring out your parent’s heart before the Lord.

He will strengthen you. He will mend your broken heart. You never know what He might have in store. It is very possible that there could be a wonderful testimony in the making!

Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heat may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Lord, I lay my heart before You
And I pour out my very soul.
Desperate, You know what I need
As empty before You I go.

Lord, strengthen my weary heart--
Make it strong once again.
For only You can meet this need,
Hold me tight, my Savior Friend.

I know no other way to go
I’m spent beyond my measure.
Fill me Lord, my Life, my Song
Spin my life with peace, Your Treasure.