These verses remind us that our influence as parents is profound. While our children may stray temporarily, the foundation of faith we’ve instilled in them will remain, guiding them back to God’s embrace.
Scripture for Prodigals:
The 7 Promises
Jeremiah 31:16-17: “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work (raising of your children, prayer) shall be rewarded, says the LORD, and they (your children) shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the LORD, that your children shall come back to their own border (place of peace and safety and well-being)."
(Amplified Bible)
Isaiah 49:25: “I’m the one who’s on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children.” (MSG)
Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (NIV)
Psalm 91:11-12: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (NIV)
Isaiah 54:13: “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (NIV)
Luke 15:11-32: The Parable of the Prodigal Son
This parable illustrates God’s unconditional love and willingness to welcome back wayward children with open arms. Just as the father in the parable eagerly awaits the return of his prodigal son, God eagerly waits for our children to come back to Him.
Conclusion:
Parenting prodigals is undoubtedly a difficult and emotional journey. However, as parents, we can take solace in the profound promises of God’s protection and love for our children. These biblical verses serve as a reminder that our Heavenly Father is watching over them, even in their wanderings. Trust in His divine protection!
Blessings
Lily
their generation, there are several places in scripture where it explains that disdain for parents is a first step in separation from God. (See 2 Timothy 3: 1-5).
In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”
Separation is Satan’s foundational tool. One of his primary methods is to divide - in order to conquer. We see this from the beginning in Genesis, when the serpent deceived Adam and Eve in order to separate them from God.
As I have written in previous articles on this website and hopefully you noticed as an unwritten theme throughout our book, Unconfined, I believe that family is God’s design. While I respect that my children are adults and I am no longer needed in the role as parent, I believe we are more likely to bless future generations if a cohesive spirit of unity and communion exists, rather than a spirit of separation in our family.
If you are experiencing the estrangement of a dearly loved prodigal child who has rejected you, consider these steps:
- Confess your own part in any separation.
- Recognize that separation of families is a primary goal of Satan, and refuse to accept that the separation is permanent or that his lies about your motives, heart or character will succeed.
- Meditate on the following qualities of God which foster unity and are in opposition to separation:
Consequences of Separation God's Design
Critical/Mocking/Arrogant/Proud Humility
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
Deception/Lies/Vain Imaginations Truth
(John 8:32)
No fear of God Fear of the Lord
(Proverbs 9:10)
Lost/Hopeless/Full of Fear, Anxiety and Despair Filling of the Spirit
(2 Cor. 3:17)
Sins of the Fathers/Cursed Covered by the Blood of Jesus
(1 John 1:7)
Greedy/Seeking after the World Generosity
(1 Tim. 6:18-19)
Death
Life/Blessing
(Deut. 30:19)
Praying the scriptures above for your prodigal, is a powerful spiritual weapon to uproot each of the strongholds of the spirit of separation. Read each of the scriptures while asking the Holy Spirit to firmly establish that God-honoring behavior in your own life and overflowing that quality to and through your children.
Prayer for Prodigals:
God Our Healer
Prayer:
Dear Lord, everything you created was good. However, mankind allowed the spirit of separation to come in to your perfect plan, and it has been trying to destroy the beautiful gift of family since the dawn of creation. The deepest desire of my heart is to see my family restored, and thriving in You! There are many examples in Your word in which You answered an intercessor’s prayer for healing and restoration of families and communities. You are referred to in holy scripture 60 times as Jehovah Rapha (God Our Healer). Thus, I firmly believe that You are able to supernaturally restore things that appear permanently broken. I want my life and family to resemble the vine you describe in John 15:5-8 – firmly connected You and bearing fruit! I pray the following will grow in my life and in my descendants: humility, truth, reverence for your holiness, nearness of the Holy Spirit, generosity and blessing!
Blessings,
Lily
their generation, there are several places in scripture where it explains that disdain for parents is a first step in separation from God. (See 2 Timothy 3: 1-5).
In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”
Separation is Satan’s foundational tool. One of his primary methods is to divide - in order to conquer. We see this from the beginning in Genesis, when the serpent deceived Adam and Eve in order to separate them from God.
As I have written in previous articles on this website and hopefully you noticed as an unwritten theme throughout our book, Unconfined, I believe that family is God’s design. While I respect that my children are adults and I am no longer needed in the role as parent, I believe we are more likely to bless future generations if a cohesive spirit of unity and communion exists, rather than a spirit of separation in our family.
If you are experiencing the estrangement of a dearly loved prodigal child who has rejected you, consider these steps:
- Confess your own part in any separation.
- Recognize that separation of families is a primary goal of Satan, and refuse to accept that the separation is permanent or that his lies about your motives, heart or character will succeed.
- Meditate on the following qualities of God which foster unity and are in opposition to separation:
Consequences of Separation
vs. God's Design
Critical/Mocking/Arrogant/Proud vs.
Humility
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
Deception/Lies/Vain Imaginations vs.
Truth
(John 8:32)
No fear of God vs.
Fear of the Lord
(Proverbs 9:10)
Lost/Hopeless/Full of Fear, Anxiety and Despair vs.
Filling of the Spirit
(2 Cor. 3:17)
Sins of the Fathers/Cursed vs.
Covered by the Blood of Jesus
(1 John 1:7)
Greedy/Seeking after the World vs.
Generosity
(1 Tim. 6:18-19)
Death vs.
Life/Blessing
(Deut. 30:19)
Praying the scriptures above for your prodigal, is a powerful spiritual weapon to uproot each of the strongholds of the spirit of separation. Read each of the scriptures while asking the Holy Spirit to firmly establish that God-honoring behavior in your own life and overflowing that quality to and through your children.
Prayer for Prodigals:
God Our Healer
Prayer:
Dear Lord, everything you created was good. However, mankind allowed the spirit of separation to come in to your perfect plan, and it has been trying to destroy the beautiful gift of family since the dawn of creation. The deepest desire of my heart is to see my family restored, and thriving in You! There are many examples in Your word in which You answered an intercessor’s prayer for healing and restoration of families and communities. You are referred to in holy scripture 60 times as Jehovah Rapha (God Our Healer). Thus, I firmly believe that You are able to supernaturally restore things that appear permanently broken. I want my life and family to resemble the vine you describe in John 15:5-8 – firmly connected You and bearing fruit! I pray the following will grow in my life and in my descendants: humility, truth, reverence for your holiness, nearness of the Holy Spirit, generosity and blessing!
Blessings,
Lily
