My “former” prodigal daughter, Kim, and me sharing our testimony at a Mother’s Day Tea
Are you wondering if you have a prodigal? Here’s my definition: “A child who is breaking the heart of his or her parents and the heart of God.”
I was a prodigal who raised a prodigal. I modeled worldly ways to my daughter, Kim, and she wanted to be just like me. When she was eighteen, I rededicated my life to Christ—I thought my daughter would follow after me. But she wanted nothing to do with this new “weird” mom.
When she announced she was going to live with her boyfriend when she left for college, I was heartbroken. I tried every way I could think of to dissuade her, but no amount of talking, pleading, or cajoling convinced her to change her mind.
Sobbing and sinking to my knees as I watched the taillights of my beloved only daughter’s little blue car disappear down the street as she headed off to college, I cried out to God: “Where did I go wrong?” “What can I do?” “Is it too late?”
Praying God’s Word Back to Him
Answers came in a devotional book with prayers in the form of paraphrased Scripture and a place to journal. Here are examples of verses I prayed for Kim, but you can take any verse in the Bible and personalize it because the Bible is your Guide for life. Make it personal and applicable:
Evening and morning and at noon I commit to pray and cry aloud for my daughter Kim. And You, Lord, shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17 NKJV)
I pray that my daughter Kim will know the truth and the truth will set him/her free. (John 8:32 NIV)
I Started Praying Scriptures for My Child—
- Daily—I didn’t miss a day praying for her because I couldn’t stand the thought of her not being with me in heaven.
- Biblically—Praying God’s Word back to Him kept me praying His will and not just my own will. I journaled my will.
- Expectantly—with confidence that God would answer and act and in anticipation of how He would bring her back.
- Persistently—I didn’t let myself become discouraged, even when I didn’t see any change in her and it seemed she moved further into the sinful lifestyle. I heard God’s still small voice that He wanted her back more than I did. So I kept on praying.
- Sacrificially—I often fasted while praying.
- Unceasingly—I never gave up, knowing my job as a praying parent was never finished.
- Thankfully—always praising God for His answers to prayer even when they were different than I expected.
Sharing Our Testimony
After five years of praying biblically, expectantly, persistently, sacrificially, unceasingly, and thankfully, my daughter started the long journey back to God and to me. Last Mother’s Day, we shared our story and our testimony of God’s faithfulness and grace at a Mother’s Day Tea (picture above). We gave God all the glory for the work He had done in both of our lives.
If you have a prodigal son or daughter, remember that God wants your child back even more than you do. Partner with God in praying for his or her return and redemption.
Excerpts are from my book Praying For Your Prodigal Daughter: Hope, Help & Encouragement for Hurting Parents. I’ll be sharing more thoughts on “Praying for Your Prodigal” at a workshop @ Better Together 2014 M.O.M. Conference. Lori Wildenberg will also be leading a workshop on “When Your Child Is on a Prodigal Path.” Hope we get to meet many of you sweet moms July 31-August 2 in Jacksonville, Fl. See details below.
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REGISTER NOW for the
2014 M.O.M. Conference ~ BETTER TOGETHER
July 31st – August 2nd,
Jacksonville, Florida at Trinity Baptist Church
Registration Information, Location, List of Breakout Sessions, Descriptions of Workshops, Conference Speaking Team, Better Together Conference Flyer, Better Together Bulletin Insert (Full Color), Better Together Bulletin Insert (Black & White), Better Together Conference Cards (Postcard Size)
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