Praying for Our Prodigals
May 22, 2009 |
Satan plays dirty. Really dirty.
He is so clever at finding our weak spots, to trip us up as we walk the paths God has for us. He whispers not-so-sweet nothings in our ears. He beguiles us with our best temptations. He spray paints the nearby grass a beautiful shade of green. He tells us we deserve the best. But we have grown strong and mature in the Spirit and we keep hanging on to God--and we don't succumb.
That's when Satan takes the gloves off. He goes after our children. If he can't cause us to stumble, he attacks those we love so much. He whispers and beguiles and spray paints lots of greener grass, laying his traps for our vulnerable loved ones.
Triple score! He captures their hearts and minds, and he distracts us from God's work for us. And he inflicts so much pain in the process.
I know. I've been there.
On June 2, 1997, our son made a commitment to Christ and was baptized. That was 12 years ago. Though he started off strong in his walk with God, he has taken many detours since then. And what a rocky road that has meant for us.
Eight years ago, in the depths of our struggle and recognizing we needed lots of help, we called for a June 2 Worldwide Day of Prayer for our son. We invited friends we knew around the world who were prayer warriors or experienced in this kind of journey to join us in focused prayer for our son. God did some good, specific things in response to those prayers,
We didn't see the true and total turn around we desired, but we did see evidence of God's hand in his life and so did he. So the Worldwide Day of Prayer became an annual event every June 2. Each year more joined with us. And each year we saw new steps in a better direction for our son.
He is in a much better place now, though still not quite where he could be. Four years ago we began to feel pretty selfish keeping all this prayer for our son, so we broadened it, and now every June 2 is a Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals (and others who need a touch from God).
What began as specific requests for our son and ideas on praying for a prodigal became a day to pray for hundreds of loved ones needing that touch from God - and a website, PrayerforProdigals.com.
The website includes many resources and encouragements for this challenging journey as well opportunity to pray specifically for some and more generally for hundreds. It is a place for hope, help and community. It is a safe place to ask others to join you in praying for your prodigal(s). And we rejoice in answers to prayer and growth in our own lives.
If Satan has been up to his usual dirty tricks as he pursues your children, come join us at PrayerforProdigals.com. He doesn't stand a chance when we join together on our knees.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on May 22, 2009
Comments
What a tremendous and profoundly PROACTIVE idea. I love the steps you took to seek God and harness all His power available to you to buttress him in prayer and stand against the enemy. Truly inspiring. I'm so pleased to know about Prayer for Prodigals and will keep it in mind as a resource for others (or myself) who need hope and action steps for issues such as yours.
Posted by: Susan on May 26, 2009
Feel free to pray along with us on June 2!
Posted by: Judy on May 28, 2009
My situation is not that a child is a prodigal but that my dad is a prodigal. He was raised in the church by two people who put Christ first (and made such a powerful example to me when I was a child!) but my father never made a personal connection to Christ. I am a bible college grad and started my masters of divinity degree but he will not discuss such matters. Neither will my mother who did not grow up in a Christian home. I will check out your website! Thanks for a good article!
Posted by: Joyce on June 5, 2009
I've tried on several occasions to use the PrayerforProdigals website but it requires that you sign up. I tried to do that, but after you put in your info, then it requires that you "activate your GCX account" which requires a staff acct. number! From what I can tell, you have to be a Campus Crusade staff person to use the site. Disappointing.
Posted by: Marie on July 10, 2009