Nothing can be more heart-breaking for a parent who has a son or daughter gone astray. It hurts even more to know how you gave your all to raise and nurture that child. And then this child suddenly turns around to choose a path of sin, waywardness, and reckless living. No parent ever wants to be in this place. But then, what happens when you are a parent of a prodigal child.
Who is a Prodigal Child?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a prodigal this way:
a son/daughter who leaves his or her parents to do things that they do not approve of but then feels sorry and returns home.
I also love this short description from familylife.com. You can read the full article here.
“A true prodigal child will show extreme defiance and rebellion as a pattern over an extended period of time.
In fact, the word “defiance” catches it all—a stubborn, rebellious spirit that challenges authority, refuses to acknowledge responsibility for faults, and doesn’t embrace the truth. Here are some signs suggesting the presence of a prodigal:
- A prodigal child consistently, flagrantly disobeys rules and crosses boundaries.
- A prodigal child shows ongoing active or passive disrespect for authority.
- A prodigal child is unteachable and refuses to accept responsibility.
- A prodigal child persists in self-destructive behavior (drugs, drinking, sexual activity, stealing, violence).
- A prodigal child lies and continues a pattern of deceit, even after being caught red-handed.
- A prodigal child’s life is disintegrating in many areas and is out of control.
I have seen first-hand the effect on the parents of a child who persists in self-destructive behavior and habits. We are talking sleepless nights, nagging headaches and an indescribable kind of pain in their hearts. However, as Christian parents, our hope must rest in God who is able to restore a prodigal child back to himself. And even when there is little to do and control about the situation, you can choose to pray. Remember that prayer changes things and prayer is one more step in turning the heart of your prodigal child back to God. Here are 7 Prayers for your Prodigal.
Prayers for Your Prodigal
1. God knows your child by name
See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.– Isaiah 49:16
Prayer: Father, I thank you for calling my child (insert name) by name and engraving his name on the palm of your hands. He will hear your voice and respond when you call him by name. Thank you, Lord for loving him sacrificially and calling him your own. I pray that my child will come to this knowledge that he belongs to you and that you know him by name. Amen!
2. God’s Presence is with your Child
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. – Psalm 139:7-10
Prayer: Thank you father for surrounding my child’s life with your presence every single day. I ask today that no matter how far my child tries to run and flee from your presence, you will find him.
I pray also that no matter how deep he may have sunk in sin and destructive habits, you will be there to hold and lead him back home. Precious Holy spirit of God, find my child in the deepest of the deep and guide him back to God. Amen!
3. Pray just like Jesus Prayed
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. – Luke 22:31-32
Prayer: Dear father, I ask that my faith will not fail as I intercede in prayer for my child. I reject Satan’s plan to have my child and keep him in a destructive path. I declare boldly in faith that I will fight for my child in prayer and not give up. (Insert name), Satan will not have victory over your life. You will return to God and bring many others into his kingdom. Amen!
4. Ask God to open their eyes
To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. – Acts 26:18
Prayer: Lord, open my child’s eyes today. I ask that you rescue him from the grip of Satan today. Let him begin to see and embrace the truth of the love and power of God.
Turn away every darkness hovering over his mind and life and shine your glorious light into his heart. Lord set my child free today so that he may receive forgiveness and sanctification. Amen!
5. Stand on God’s Promises
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. – Ezekiel 11:19-20
Prayer: Father, I will stand on the promises of your word. I will stand on the truth of your word concerning my child. I will rest in the power of your word today.
Lord, I ask that you begin to work on my child’s heart today to heal, deliver and save. Take away his stony and stubborn heart and give him a heart that is tender and responsive to your love and presence.
Release him from every pain, anger and bitterness in his heart that has held him captive. I declare today that (insert name)’s heart will be turned to obey God and honor him for the rest of his life. Amen!
6. Wait Patiently on God
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. – Psalm 40:1-3
Prayer: Dear father, thank you for standing with me on this path of waiting. I receive grace to wait patiently on God to help me and hear my cry. Lord, lift me out of the pit of despair and hopelessness and set my feet on solid ground today as I wait on my prodigal child’s return home. Hold my hand and put the right words in my mouth to pray.
I refuse to wallow in self-pity and shame concerning my child’s situation. I will keep praying and not give up. Surely, you will put a new song in my mouth to sing and many will see what you have done concerning my child. Amen!
7. Trust God wholeheartedly
But now this is what the LORD says: “Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the LORD. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. – Jeremiah 31: 16
Prayer: Lord, I will trust in you no matter what. I will trust in your loving kindness and faithfulness. These tears over my child will be turned to tears of joy in the end.
You have said that you will reward me by bringing my child back from distant lands and from the grip of the enemy. Today, I rest in this promise knowing that they that trust in you will not be put to shame. I declare boldly that my child will return to God and come back to the loving arms of his family. Amen!
Read more:
Prayers for your Child’s Salvation
7 Powerful Scriptures Every Mother Can Pray
THIS RESOURCE WILL TAKE YOU DEEPER IN PRAYING FOR YOUR CHILDREN
A Prayer Guide and Journal
30 Prophetic Prayers and Declarations to Speak Over your Child
As parents we need to pray over our children and trust that they are going through a process with a purpose. In the end, God will be glorified!!
Amen! Thanks for visiting and reading.
[…] you too can stand in the gap for that broken, weak, helpless child and remain steadfast in prayers for your prodigal child. Keep interceding in faith for a victory, miracle and complete turnaround in that child’s life. […]