Prayer and Prodigals

Yesterday I wrote about forgiveness and doing good to those who abuse or spitefully use you. I mentioned that I prayed for the person who hurt me. Then I got this devotion:

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Colossians 1:9 (NKJV)

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Remember that quote? Reminds me of God’s plan for intercessory prayer. Recently a loved one’s lifestyle choices have brought me to my knees, fasting and praying for her deliverance. I had never prayed that she would stay strong nor did I pray for her spiritual growth. Little did I know that Satan had begun a work underneath the surface, like a termite eating away at her spiritual foundation. This past week, I confessed to God my failure in not praying those preventative prayers over her before the surface began to crumble.
Critical situations quickly drop us to our knees, so why don’t we start there before critical becomes a reality? Caught up in our own lives and lists of requests, we sometimes shortchange the urgency of covering our loved ones in prayer. Maybe it’s because they seem to be doing just fine or maybe it’s because we’re too busy to even notice. I want to be proactive not reactive when it comes to interceding for others. My heart’s desire is to cover them in umbrella prayers sheltering them from even the slightest drop of Satan’s attempt to reign in their lives. A heart hardened and a conscience seared is not easily softened. Usually the road back home for a prodigal is paved with brokenness, so today I prayed that God would prepare me for my loved one’s return by filling me with His truth and grace. While ultimately she will have to
desire freedom, I’m committed to bringing her to the feet of Jesus and leaving the results in His nail pierced hands. And when she makes that pivotal turn headed back to her Father, I want to see her through God’s eyes and start running towards her overflowing with compassion. (Janet Martin)

Not only is this devotion on praying for those who are leading the lives of prodigals, it uses Col. 1:9 as its focal verse. This verse is the first in a passage (Col. 1:9-12) that I had written out, framed, and given to the aforementioned "enemy" when we first started our relationship - sort of a life verse for the relationship. I am amazed that God would bring me full circle, back to the verses that first shaped my relationship with this person, the very day after he is recalled to my mind. Even more amazing is the content of this verse: "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you." My prayers should not have ceased just because this person wounded me and I no longer have contact with him. I am supposed to be praying for him "since the day [I] heard it."

How loving and kind God is to give me the opportunity to share in the task of seeking restoration for this person. I am thankful beyond words that God has chosen to "confide" in me in such unmistakable ways in the past few months. To be able to hear from God is something I have prayed for for years now. God, in His perfect timing, has chosen now as the time I will hear clearly from Him. Praise the God who answers prayer and "makes everything beautiful in His time" (Ecc. 3:11)!