heal their brother, Lazarus. They sent word to Jesus that their brother was gravely ill. Jesus did not answer their call right away, and Lazarus died. When Jesus arrived at Mary and Martha’s house 4 days after their brother died, Martha greeted him with this astounding statement:
John 11:21-22 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Martha acknowledged that the situation looked hopeless and permanent, but she was
also acknowledging that Jesus could make a way where there seemed to be no way. And of course, we know that Jesus did raise Lazarus back to life. He returned to fellowship with his family.
Prayers for Prodigals:
Even Now
Interestingly, the Lord Himself used this same language when He told the prophet Joel that He was about to bring punishment on the country of Judah due to their sinfulness and idolatry. After describing what His justice would look like, God inserted:
Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
The same compassion that Jesus had for Mary and Martha, who had lost the relationship with their brother God had for an entire nation who had turned away from Him. No matter how “dead” something looks, God can bring it back to life! And He tells us why He is inclined to do that: because He is gracious and compassionate, abounding in love – for you and for your loved one.
Call out to God continuously and let Him know that you are certain that “even now” He can and will answer your prayers.
I am praying in faith with you.
God bless you and your family,
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
