Praying for Prodigals

Scripture Prayers for Prodigals

A Fair and Righteous Judge

One of the beautiful things about God’s holy scripture is that it never gets outdated or grows stale – it will continue to reveal new truths to you every day!  I continually search the Bible for everything it can teach me about how to pray. On this journey, I have learned that:  We should pray to God as our father, (Luke 11:2-4), and that we can simply talk to Him as a friend (Psalm 27:8).

Not only is God our father and our friend – but He is also a fair and righteous judge. After reading the scriptures below, the fact that God is our judge has new meaning to me.  If you are like me, you probably associate the word “judge” in connection to God with the understanding that God ultimately judges sin.  Note also though, if we confess our sin, the holy, sovereign, exalted God of the universe, is willing and open to listen to all of our contentions, including pleas on behalf of others.   In the natural world, it is somewhat difficult to get your case heard before a judge.  However in the heavenly realm, where God is seated on His throne, He invites us to come humbly before Him and “contend.” 

Consider these verses:

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”  (Isaiah 1:18)

“I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.”  (Isaiah 43:25-26)

Consider also these two verses which are bookends to the parable of the unrighteous judge found in Luke 18: 

Verse 1: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.”    

Verses 7-8: “Now, will God not judge in favor of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them?  I tell you, he will judge in their favor and do it quickly.”

The sovereign God of the universe is interested in your reasons, and his “courts” are open for you to present your case!  As I am praying for my sons to return to the Lord, I ask the Lord to answer this prayer - so that they can reach people that only they could reach and bring the next generation to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in a way that I might not be able to. 

Prayers for Prodigals:

Make Your Case Again Tomorrow

God is inviting you to “put Him in remembrance” of any reason that He should grant your request.  This might include things that you may have done (such as tithing) or hope to do (such as testify to the miracle you are believing for).  Spend some time thinking about why God should answer your prayer for your lost or wayward children.  You might remember special things your child did or said when they were younger, or the fact that you dedicated them to the Lord in front of a congregation of believers.  If He does not answer your prayers today, He is inviting you to come and make your case again tomorrow.  He never grows weary or uninterested. As you pray in this manner, God may reveal other things to you that need to be confessed or contended for.  When You approach the throne of grace, believe that today is the day that He will “judge in your favor and do it quickly.” AMEN!   

I am standing in the gap with you!

Blessings, 

Lily