Hi,
God bless YOU. A couple months ago I asked you to send me your #1 prayer request. Over the years, the top prayer need I receive is often for a wayward child or grandchild.
A long-term friend of mine named Linda Stone has a ministry that focuses on “praying for prodigals”. We had breakfast recently, and I asked her if she would tell you part of her story and give you some prayer tips.
If this isn’t for you, perhaps you know someone who could use Linda’s insights on this important issue.
Praying the Prodigals Back to the Father
By Linda Stone
For many years I had prayed over the wayward children of several families. In January 2018, the Lord specifically called me to “pray the prodigals back to the Father”. I began with 5-6 families, and now I pray for over 140, and it continues to grow!
Most of these prodigals were raised Christian. The ‘Parable of the Lost Son’ as Jesus shared in Luke 15:11-24, is about the Prodigal Son returning to the Father, and the Father receiving him back with open arms!
Here are my prayer points from the Lord, that guide me:
- Praying them back to Father God.
- Praying to a place of total surrender to Jesus.
- Praying against the spirit of seduction.
- Praying down deception, to come back to their senses (many are suicidal).
- Praying God makes them miserable in their sin.
- Praying for those who think they do not need God or Jesus.
I have prayed for several who have been suicidal, and have prayed that they will choose life (from Deuteronomy 30:19-20). One prodigal who I am very close to has been saved from suicide at least twice in the last 4 years.
A precious young woman who pulled away from her family and the Lord was drawn into pansexual relationships. This broke her parents’ heart and caused division between her parents and siblings. Through prayer and standing with these parents for restoration, this young woman has begun returning to her family, and healing has begun. We continue praying her back to the Father!
I encourage you to not give up in prayer. Take time each day to pray. Your perseverance will be rewarded!
I hope this strengthened you. If you have a prayer point that you find helpful, would you please share it with us in the comment section?
In His Love and mine,
Kathleen Dillard
Our 6 children have been raised in “The Church”. They have Since left “The Church” Their comments to me have been, All the Church has ever done is hurt me.” I do not believe they have stepped away from God. The never-ending burden on my heart has been, Be Real To Them Oh Yeshua. Only their personal experience can change the heart. We wrestle not with flesh and blood and yet my flesh screams for their deliverance. Never ever would I have thought Id be in this place. What is the bigger picture? Are they to minister to those they have gone wayward with? Are they to Be The Light that is in them in an unorthodox fashion? Do I accept my LGBTQ daughter who wants to identify as a son without reserve?
All I know is, I know their upbringing and their hearts. They want justice, righteousness and most of all Truth. The Trust has been tangled with deception even in “The Church” As a fellow warrior and watchman, a mother and Lover of Yeshua I ask these questions and would love to join in conversation.
So, today’s Word, Guard Your Heart is very meaningful. For I have had to guard mine against the death “The Church” has given my 6. I have not lost hope, but I Have Lost Faith in “The Church” as we know it.
Hey Cindy – I am sorry it has taken a while for me to get in touch with you. I am praying for your 6 children & for you. I am so sorry for the hurt they have experienced in the Church and I pray they have a deep encounter with the living God who loves them deeply and He so loved them that He gave Jesus – John 3:16. I pray the Lord give them all dreams and visions of who He really is and for He will draw them all back to Jesus. GOD IS ABLE & FAITHFUL to draw them back into His loving arms. We are to love as Jesus loved – unconditionally. We are not to accept sin or say its ok but we are to love. I pray the Lord give you strength, courage and guidance as you pray and love your children. Your children want to TRUTH and Jesus says in the Word of God that He is the way, the truth and the life – no man comes to the Father but through Him. I pray the truth of the deception they are walking in to be revealed and I pray they come to the place where they no longer love the sin so much that they would not be willing to walk away from it and run toward Jesus! I pray the meet you TODAY CINDY in your personal place of need for He cares for you and loves you deeply! Psalm 112:7 – “She confidently TRUSTS the Lord to take care of her!” I pray that you can trust God to take care of you children and call them back to the Father! Tell the Lord – “I TRUST YOU LORD” with my children – say it out loud as many times a day as you need to. You are speaking it, you are hearing it, the Lord is hearing it and Satan is hearing it!! The Lord bless and keep you and your children Cindy!!
I was able to copy this and put it on the private webpage of my women’s community Bible study. This is the cry and pain of so many women. It will be an encouragement to them. I also added the reference of II Timothy 2:25,26. I have prayed these prayers for many to be set free from the snare of the devil.
bless you Paulette and thank you for sharing this message with others. Your prayers are making a difference in the lives of many. There are many hurting parents over their children and we pray Almighty God draw all the Prodigals back to the Father in Jesus name!! I pray the Lord meet you TODAY Paulette in your personal place of need for He cares for you and loves you deeply! The Lord bless you Paulette!
I started praying for my prodigal son (with high functioning autism)25 years ago. He is still a prodigal in many ways but through my prayer (& that of many others) he has grown in many ways. Praying for Prodigals has given me peace as many other children (now young men and women) in my childrens’ orbits still are struggling and need continuous prayer. Some are even raising children of their own so those little ones are in the prayer chain. Some are still in touch with me, some do not even know I am praying for them but prayer has given me peace where I am not able to do anything else to intercede.
Claire I pray with you for your son and thankful that he has grown in some ways. We call the Prodigals back to the Father – we pray they have a true Encounter with the living God – give them dreams and visions of who Jesus really us and to come to know His deep love for each of them. Claire remember – PRAYER is the greatest weapon we have and PRAYER changes things! Remember, we are partnering with Jesus in intercession for the Prodigals to come back to Jesus!! GOD IS ABLE & FAITHFUL to draw them back. Claire your prayers are making a difference – even if you never see it – TRUST THE LORD with the Prodigals!!
Kathleen, we are seeing prayers answered for our prodical son who is making bold steps to return to Jesus. We have been praying for 20 years. Our hearts are so grateful. As this is occurring we see God’s favor all over him. Thank you for praying!
Thank you Dianne for sharing this encouraging message and I stand with you in praying the Lord draw your son totally back to Jesus. I pray he has a strong encounter with the living God and totally surrender back to Almighty God – GOD IS ABLE & FAITHFUL to draw him back. bless you Dianne for your faithfulness in praying, believing God for your son’s return to Jesus!! I pray the Lord meet you TODAY Dianne in your personal place of need for He cares of you and loves you deeply!!
I have been praying for some youths who were lost though they were raised in a Christian family. Thank you for sharing and encouraging me to continue praying.
Yarorella, prayer is the greatest weapon we have and prayer changes things – I know you know that. I know the Lord’s heart is broken over His children who has walked away from Him and He is calling us to call these Prodigals back to the Father daily til they return…I pray they have a powerful ENCOUNTER with the living God NOW in Jesus name!! Bless you Yarorella!!