Praying for the Lost and Prodigal
By: Debbie
McDaniel (Crosswalk)
Often in the
midst of a fresh new year, in the hope of all it can bring, there¡¦s an ache
that burdens us deep inside.
As believers
we know where true hope is found. We¡¦re grateful for the love and forgiveness
of Christ. We¡¦ve been set free. Redeemed for His purposes.
And yet not
everyone shares our desire to walk close and stay connected to God in this
life. There are some we love who have pushed away any need of Him, they¡¦ve
chosen another path. And maybe they¡¦ve bought into the lie; that other
things can satisfy. Maybe out of hurt or misunderstandings, they¡¦ve
walked away. Broken relationships, pride, or harsh words may lead some
to stay distant. There's a deep rift that seems almost
impossible to ever reach.
They might
even be right there beside us, a part of our family, or live in our homes, but
spiritually, their hearts are far away¡K
¡P
Lost
¡P
Wandering
¡P
Searching
¡P
Drifting
No matter
what the reason, or how far gone one seems to have traveled, it doesn¡¦t change
this one truth. God¡¦s love reaches. It¡¦s never too short to save, He¡¦s never too weary of extending more grace.
His power is
limitless.
His
forgiveness is endless.
The very
reason Christ came was to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to
reach. It¡¦s what He does best. And the arm of the Lord is mighty and
strong.
Yet
sometimes, we lose our hope. We don¡¦t see how anything will ever change.
The answer doesn¡¦t come. Maybe we get tired of praying. Of waiting. Or we fear for the future and eternal security
of those we love most in this world.
We
understand the reality that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. That deep
burden can so tug at our souls, press on our minds, it¡¦s hard to move forward
in faith.
God¡¦s hope
for us this season¡KHe is Able. Keep on praying. Don¡¦t lose heart.
Don¡¦t give up. Know and believe that He is at work, often behind the
scenes where we can¡¦t see. He¡¦s ordering steps. Arranging
appointments. He¡¦s protecting and shielding. He¡¦s covering and caring.
He desires for all to come to Him and will stop at nothing to draw our
loved ones to Himself.
Prayer is
powerful. And praying God¡¦s Word over those we love is speaking His Truth over
their lives, as it builds our own faith. We don¡¦t have to pray from an
attitude of fear and worry, but we can pray strong prayers in the authority of
Christ our Lord.
A Prayer for the Lost and the Prodigal:
Dear God,
You know our
hearts, you hear our prayers, and care about all that concerns us. You understand
the burden we carry and how we want, more than anything, to see our loved ones
come to you. Help us to remember that you love them more than we ever
could. And you desire to extend your great love and forgiveness, your
mercy and hope.
Thank you that
nothing is too difficult for you. Thank you that your power is unlimited
and you came to set the captives free. Thank you that you wait, arms
open, for the prodigal to return, that you look for his arrival to lavishly
celebrate that he¡¦s come home.
We praise
you for you are Redeemer and Rescuer, Savior and
Lord. We know and believe that there¡¦s no pit so deep that your love
can¡¦t reach us still. We understand that your mercies are new every
morning, and your faithfulness is great.
Lord, we ask
that you would halt the plans of the enemy over these we love as we bring them
before you right now. We pray that his schemes be demolished and that
your plans for good, for a future and hope, would prevail. Would you open blind
eyes that they might see your Truth. Would you rescue
those walking in darkness and heal the deep wounds of those who¡¦ve been hurt.
We pray for
the miraculous intervention of your Spirit to draw them to yourself, to work
strong on behalf of our loved ones who are lost and wandering.
For you came with good news, to heal the broken-hearted, to
proclaim freedom for captives and release for the prisoners.
Though we
deserved penalty for our wrong, you stood in our place and took the blows on
our behalf. You choose to die, so that we can live. Forever
and free.
Lord,
forgive our unbelief. Forgive the times we¡¦ve doubted that you could ever
change a distant heart. Forgive our hard-heartedness, our weariness, or
forgetfulness to ¡§pray continually.¡¨
Thank you
that you never give up on us.
Remind us of
how you¡¦ve changed our own hearts. How your miracle of life and hope has sprung
up deep within our souls.
We love you
Lord, we need you, and we thank you that you hear our prayers and are at work
even now.
Powerfully. Faithfully. Miraculously.
Thank you
for the gift of our Savior, God with us. Thank you
for your goodness and love¡K
In Jesus¡¦
Name,
Amen.
Some Verses of Hope that Remind Us God Is at Work,
Saving the Lost and Restoring the Prodigal:
¡§The Spirit
of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim
good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the
prisoners¡K¡¨ Is. 61:1
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which
was lost.¡¨ Luke 19:10
¡§¡KWith man
this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. 19:26
¡§The
steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they
are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.¡¨ Lam. 3:22-23
¡§The Lord is
not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward
you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.¡¨
2 Pet. 3:9