Prayer Please

Please pray for two prodigal brothers. Pray that God would do a mighty work, bringing them to complete brokenness and repentance before the Lord to the saving of their souls.

Amen! I will pray. Know the Lord loves them and all of our families and with our prayers He will see them to repentance. In His timing and not ours. Our prayers are most important and He is so faithful to hear and to work as it is His longing to see them in His arms safe and sound. Go to your prayer closet and pour out your heart for them then come out knowing our Heavenly Father has heard and you can rejoice in a powerful faithful Father's love. In Jesus Precious & Powerful Name. Amen and Glory to God.

He is worthy to be believed.

Praying!!!! Lord have mercy!!

Thank you for your continued prayers. There does seem to be some softening in one of the prodigals.

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalms 34:18

Please pray for two prodigal brothers...

Thank you to those who have prayed - PLEASE CONTINUE!! Sometimes there go days or even weeks when seemingly nothing happens. And then something takes place in the lives of these 2 sons that is clearly God at work. May God receive all the glory! Ever grateful for all your prayers!

Praying.

Thank you so much to those who have been praying for my sons. I am seeing God continue to put the pressure on. It is hard as a mother to watch God deal with them, but I would have it no other way. I just wanted you to know that I can see God's hand in their lives. May He bless you for interceding for us!

It has been weeks since I updated on my sons. I wish I had wonderful news of a breakthrough, but I don't. I just wanted to ask you to please keep praying if you are able. The path of a prodigal can be a lengthy one I'm afraid. There is talk between my younger son and my husband about his coming back home. That would be wonderful, but only if he is willing to abide by decency of standards in our home. Ultimately he needs Jesus. I am thankful that both my sons still love & miss their siblings ,and they love us as parents as well - they just don't agree with us. But the enemy has deceived them into believing that the pleasures of sin will be fulfilling, and that they can think about God later. Or that the Christian standards with which they were raised are far too narrow - we have seen how many multitudes have been deceived by the emerging church movement - many probably like my sons. My heart just longs for them to come to Jesus - I cannot thank you enough for your continued prayers! God knows how to press them in just the right spot :)

Thank you, JiG, from the bottom of my heart! (and anyone else who is praying!)

Amen JIG! I will continue to pray also. And for all our family members. God is so faithful to hear & act. Giving Him all the thanks and glory for He is moving even when we dont see it and when we do - Hallelujah as well. Giving God the Glory!

God is really putting the pressure on my younger son...My husband says he is "distraught" and "very nervous" about what to do concerning coming back home. These are not words that characterize my son - he is very cocky and self-assured. God is working! Thank you for your continued prayers!

I don't KNOW what is going on with him, I just know that this is not characteristic so I have to believe it is God moving in his life. Our prodigals are perhaps on more dangerous ground than those who have never heard the gospel. They were raised in a distinctly Christian home and as this particular son has said, "Mom - I've heard every sermon there is". It is true - he has.... So to definitively choose to enter a life of sin which they KNOW and have been taught from the Bible since babes to be wrong, and in spite of the pleadings of siblings that love them.....well - it is a great concern, that's all...

I don't know about your father and family members - perhaps they had a life of "religiosity" (??) Just a guess....That is different and requires a different breakthrough, than the upbringing my sons have had. God knows....

Thank you ever so much for praying!!

My younger son has applied for a job at his previous workplace here at home. That is a huge step for him. I am praising God! Only the Lord knows if the open door would be a good one for him to walk through (my husband believes it is urgent for him to be back home), or if he needs the continued lesson to see that you can't just jump all over the country and expect a job to be there at your whim. Obviously the spiritual need is paramount, but God does work through circumstances. I just wanted to post that after 6 months of being away from home, his eyes have been opened to the things we have been trying to tell him for quite some time. There is still work to be done though....Thank you for your continued prayers...

I do not see any softening in my older son, but God knows what may be beneath the surface.

Well, I've been asking for prayer for my sons, and now I am the one needing prayer. God has seen fit to answer the prayers from my last update. My H just got off the phone, and my younger son is coming home in 2-3 weeks (from 700 miles away).....I am feeling quite anxious. I suppose there is a degree of repentance in that he even WANTS to come home after running away, but to my knowledge it is not repentance unto salvation. We were having lots of trouble even before he has been gone for 6 months, and now he will be used to a lot more "freedom"....So.....we need the Lord to somehow help us to show love, but not discard the standards we have in our home. It is also likely that he will connect with our older son who is NOT living anything like the way we raised our children. And we have others still at home who get the fallout of all of this. We had only begun to recover from the initial trauma of the 2 prodigals leaving back in the fall...

I have asked God to do "whatever it takes" to save their souls. However I am a human being with a tender mother's heart, and I am not feeling up to any more stress. I would so appreciate your prayers as you feel led. I would so rejoice to see the Lord work in ways that my other children (who have not embraced the world) would have to know IS GOD!!

I cannot thank you enough!

Mama

Thank you, JiG....Your post brings tears to my eyes....This has been a nightmare of nightmares....I well know the feeling of wanting to run away. I am standing firm on GOD working all things together for good....I am girded for battle (most of the time)...I do NOT want the enemy to win this one!!

I desperately need to "walk in the heavenlies"...This son is the great debater....and he can ALWAYS out-debate me. He is the one who has said, "Mom, I've heard every sermon there is". Yet I've heard more "I love you's" from him in the 6 months he's been gone, than in the rest of his entire life. My nature is not to be peaceful and calm - God just MUST help me in this. My children just must see that this is GOD, and not Mom.....

And yes...He loves them far more than I do....To Him be the Glory! Thank you from the bottom of my heart...."I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk in truth"...

Dear mama27

I pray with all my heart...
Shalom,
browny

Thank you SO MUCH, Browny.....and I for you.....May God be glorified!!

Continuing in prayer dear sister.

Thank you so much...we desperately need peace in our home...all this turmoil with our sons has caused even the ones who love the Lord to feel so oppressed. It really is difficult to keep a godly spirit as the attacks are never-ending. It is moment by moment.

Re: \tReplyEdit this post My younger son has applied for a job at his previous workplace here at home. That is a huge step for him. I am praising God! Only the Lord knows if the open door would be a good one for him to walk through (my husband believes it is urgent for him to be back home), or if he needs the continued lesson to see that you can't just jump all over the country and expect a job to be there at your whim.

Just a quick update - my son did NOT get the job he applied for. This is a disappointment to him and a surprise as he usually can "talk his way" through anything. My husband says he still plans to come home, but that he is holding out for another full-time position rather than just taking a part-time position. Though we would like him out of the danger of his freedom while away from our family, the danger is really a rebellious heart toward God and all he has been taught throughout his life. I believe this is a good lesson for him and am thanking the Lord. God's timing will be perfect in getting him home. We don't just want him here in body, we want his heart. God bless you for your continued prayer on our behalf!

I am dismayed to report that our younger son has been seeking advice from our older son. Given that they did not have a good relationship it is even more troubling, and suggests that there are things pertaining to a life of sin that he feels comfortable with an older brother who is doing the same. When you are not walking in the Truth, there are things you are not going to confide in your parents with. In the past though, he has sought counsel from his godly sisters. If you have been seriously praying for our sons (THANK YOU), you could PM me and I can explain better than what I can say on a public forum. My husband still feels it is better for our younger son to come home, even though it will present with many more troubles. This is all so inconceivable to me/us that it can only be authored by satan. BUT GOD.....I am trying to hang on and believe Him for deliverance...

Thank you....I am on the edge of cratering.....these are "my babies" (I am not hanging onto them - I have released them to the Lord) who I tried to teach so carefully the things of God....they are so blind, and so foolish, and in SUCH DANGER....and they are oblivious, while it is tearing the rest of us up....I know God loves them more, and knows just the right place to apply the pressure in their lives....it is just so hard, that's all.....

Oldest son asked me to lunch today - it lasted nearly 4 hours with me mostly listening....he confesses to feeling tormented (thank you Jesus!), but is very deceived in how he views life and God. He is on the brink of a tremendously devastating step with a woman - pls pray that God would continue to work in his life, and remove the scales from his eyes, and keep him from lifelong devastating consequences...the enemy is trying to attack me with panic, and is wreaking havoc in my entire family as a result of our sons' wild living....but by God's grace I am standing firm for Jesus Christ. I believe - help my unbelief.....They belong to Him... Thank you so much, dear Friends....

Dear sister,

Pray for you!!

SHALOM,
browny

Thank you, dear Browny! And we also just rec'd word tonite that our youngest son will return home from afar next week. God is moving! Yet the battle still rages....And it is not just our sons - there are so many young people perishing. I long for anyone else's child to be saved as well. If I ever had a complacent Christianity, it is long gone. And then we read that Muslim youth who convert to Christianity are martyred for their faith. This is serious business. I can't help but think that the enemy's time is short....

I am hesitant to post too much, but finally I see the Lord working in my oldest son who turns 26 today. He recently told me that he is in torment - I view that as the Holy Spirit working on his heart. Since you have been so faithful to pray, I just wanted to let you know. He is in a very wrong relationship with a woman, and I know God is using this to cause him to look at himself closely. Marrying her would bring devastating consequences in his life. We serve a big God, and a loving God - I am asking Him to intervene before it is too late. Our youngest son will be home next week. If you could please pray for the peace of the Lord to reign in our home, and that those of us who love the Lord would be Christlike in every way...Thank you so much!..God bless you all!

Sweet sister,

You know I will continue to pray.
Together we trust the Lord in this.

Shelter under His wings.
browny

Thank you so much, Browny and Jesus-is-God, and everyone else who is praying. Yesterday our oldest son was at our home to celebrate his birthday. While there were tense moments, there was also a lot of laughter and reminiscing by all of our children about memories from their childhood. The Lord encouraged me to know that I had indeed raised them for Him. I believe it is for that reason that we are seeing such enemy attack on our entire family. I confess to being very anxious about our youngest son returning this coming Friday. It is a miracle in itself, and I have seen several recent answers to prayer for which I am praising God. I am reminded of Psalm 138:8 - "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me"... I so long for there to be peace in our home - unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. In the light of recent world events, may the Lord restore the years the locusts have eaten, and may our family indeed be the light of the world and a city set on a hill....may HE be glorified in us...Thank you so much!

If you think of us, I surely would appreciate prayer over the next few days/weeks....My husband is driving home with our youngest son tomorrow. He seems excited to be coming home, though is having a bit of trouble ending relationships where he has been living. He made a point to be home for his younger sister's birthday which we are celebrating on Saturday. Am praising the Lord for that as he is one tough kid...Our children are incredibly close with one another, and it has been great pain to watch the wayward ones. I see God working, and am so thankful for your prayers. While this son is sorrowful that he has messed things up, and said that where he ran to "wasn't what it was cracked up to be", I don't believe either of my sons want to give up their sin in order to be right with the Lord. It is very hard for me to think of what it may take for them to desperately want salvation. Please pray that I will "Be still and know that I am God", rather than being uptight and wanting to manage the things that don't look "as they should"....I surely tried to teach them the ways of God and the Bible, but it is only HE who can melt their stony hearts. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers!!

Praising God, my younger son opened up to me for about 2 hours yesterday. He hasn't done this in years. He affirmed how we have raised him, and how he shouldn't have done what he's done and should have listened to us. That is a HUGE step forward. But he is still enamored with the world's sinful ways. PLS keep praying for God to break through. Both sons will be here for a birthday celebration today. I am trying to rest in the Lord. So very thankful they are confiding in me and asking for prayer. All glory goes to God! But the battle still rages until they are out of the enemy camp and into the kingdom of God. I cannot express my gratitude for your prayers!

I will be praying mama.

Praying

You all make me cry....Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

We are all one in Him.

You all make me cry....Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

That makes my heart smile. :)

Bless you mama. And your sons.

Praying and rejoicing with you Mama and thank you dear sister for your prayers for my family member as well.

The honeymoon is over with our son who came home 11 days ago so I thought it was time for an update. There is beginning of disrespect and "pushing his own agenda". Our older son is not attending "family" events which our children had been accustomed to for the 28 years we have had a family. I don't believe these things are just "spreading their wings" - I believe our sons, having been raised in a distinctly Christian home, have adopted the world's ways which look better to them since they do not have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. The Bible speaks to the last days having children who are disrespectful to parents, and those who are lovers of self and seeking pleasures. These things are very difficult to live with. Our younger son particularly provokes his oldest sister who is a very strong Christian. This is more than an 8 or 10 year old sibling spat. He is VERY mean. I find myself biting my tongue (literally) so that I do not spout off at him as he easily pushes my buttons. Realizing that it could well be YEARS before God answers prayer and saves these 2 young men, I am asking for continued prayer in that regard, but also that the PEACE of Jesus would reign in our home, and that those of us who follow the Lord would be filled with the Holy Spirit EVERY MINUTE in such a way that they MUST see Jesus in us.

It's curious to me that if one is diagnosed with cancer, you can get your name put on blogs all over the internet and have literally thousands of people praying for you. I know God can and does work mightily in that way. But because of the sensitive nature of sharing too much publicly, our situation is not one that can be sent all over the internet. But we have SPIRITUAL CANCER, and it is every bit as urgent as those with physical cancer because we are talking about eternity here. As I have told my sons a number of times - there is no guarantee that you will live to be 80 years old and can deal with God at a later date.

I am ever grateful for your prayers. God's plan for family was and IS a beautiful thing. No wonder satan has worked overtime to destroy it. For every family on this site - may we stand firm for the Lord!

Thank you, J-i-G, you are of course so right....just an hour after my post, my son sliced open the side of his foot with an axe while taking down a dead tree for us....I am of the belief that "God never wastes a trial" so praying that there is a lesson in this for him somehow... Thank you for your prayers and love for my family!

Youngest son is causing havoc (well....the enemy is causing havoc thru him and all over our family)....and I am not able to pray. Thank you for anyone who is able to to lift us up.

I want to thank anyone who has been led to pray for us. It is moment by moment here, and I fail often. I fail to have peace and joy. Not what I want to show my family. But I also have victory at times as well. Must keep pressing on...

The reason for my post is that my younger son who just returned home is signing up tonite for a martial arts gym that he was a part of before he left. (It is these friends who are in part responsible for enticing him to leave home in the first place.) This is quite contrary to our desires for him, and at least in my mind, incompatible with the Christian walk. In some discussions we've had in the past about salvation he has said that if you can't fight and be a Christian at the same time, then he doesn't want to be a Christian. That is scary is it not? I know God is greater than his thinking. If you can't be a "success" in the Christian world, then you want to be a success in the "bad world".....So I understand his heart. May God break through somehow.

I just wanted to update for those who are praying. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I came across my son with a lewd image of a woman on his computer screen last night. We have been through this a number of times before. I said nothing - he knows I saw it/him. I felt it best to let the Lord speak to him. I am not wanting to come across as self-righteous - I KNOW that I am every bit as much a sinner. But I have not had the type of sins as my sons who are in bondage to rock music and pornography and sensuality....of course in my head I KNOW that God is greater than any sin or anything the devil can throw at a human being, but in my experience I don't see HOW He can break through these awful things in my sons' lives.

I feel badly asking for prayer as there are multitudes of people needing prayer - we are just one little drop in the bucket. But when it is YOUR child.....Thank you, Prayer Warriors. I am counting on God to have the victory in my boys' lives.

You are not alone, Mama. I am praying for you. I also am praying for a prodigal, not my child but a soul in need of salvation nonetheless. Reading your story has encouraged me that I am not alone in waiting for God to move as promised.

Never feel bad about asking for prayer. Your need is just as real as anyone else's, and God hears.

Holding you up in prayer.

SDE,
The list of prodigals that I know personally and are heavy on my heart is growing longer, to the point that I have needed to write the names down. I can pray with passion - I will add yours when I approach the throne. Though I cannot see how, I am convinced that we will see victory...Thank you for praying...

Thank you, mama. It is a great comfort to me to know that you are praying. I also believe that we will see victory. May the Lord bless you.

Continuing in prayer for all our loved ones; prodigals, backsliders & the lost. Yes the list gets longer but we have the confidence that our God is hearing all the prayers that are going to His heart. Praise God for those who love enough to pray. We will see the glory of the Lord in the land of the living! ps 27.

Amen! Honored to join with you precious Saints in this battle for each and every soul...

Pleading in prayer for him to be delivered.

Things are VERY hard in our home. I have 3 of the finest sons who were dedicated to the Lord from birth and raised up for His kingdom, but the devil has them all bound up in lies. Oldest prodigal seems to want very little to do with us since he left home - I suspect he is enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season, but also feels guilty when coming to our home and seeing us - the contrast is great between the 2 lifestyles. Youngest prodigal is seeking women to fill a void, and trying to find his identity thru fighting for competition (both these things make me shudder). But now our middle son, who has honored us and done none of these things is questioning his worth as he is not doing the "cool" things that his brothers are doing. It is as if he is wondering if being a Christian makes you less of a man. He is still reading his Bible, but has become very withdrawn and quiet since his brothers jumped headlong into the world of sin in an overt way. This is heartwrenching to watch, and has affected all of us greatly.

I know the victory is already won, and the enemy's time must be short because he is certainly pouring it on. The only thing that keeps me going is the vision of what these 3 sons will do for the kingdom of God once He grabs hold of their hearts. I am very grateful for those who are still praying for us. Thank you!!

Standing beside you in prayer mama27

I am still praying for your sons everyday, mama. Do not give up, even though the circumstances are discouraging.

Thank you so much, Browny and SDE....The weekend was sort of rough (most of them are) but I continue to ask the Lord to fill me with HIS sweetness as a fragrant aroma to my family - I surely cannot do it. There was a gaping hole left by our oldest son who we did not see over the 3-day weekend even though he only lives 30 mins. away. Well....w/o the Lord what can we expect? Sometimes I get up in the morning and say, "Maybe today is the day one of them will be saved and return to their senses!" I continue to pray for your prodigal as well, SDE. Thank you so much for the encouragement!

I have a rather urgent situation that has arisen....Our oldest son has been in a wrong relationship with a woman for about a year. I am not wanting to start a debate on courtship vs. dating, but just want to share that we have raised our children with the belief that courtship is God's best. (Even with all the problems we've all heard with certain courtships, perhaps many here would agree that playing the field is not the best, and that seeking a woman to meet sensual needs primarily is not best either)...

At any rate, our son knows my husband and I do not believe this relationship is good in any sense as the woman has a previous husband and 3 children and is ELEVEN YEARS OLDER than our son....He has gone around us and asked his 3 sisters to come meet this woman tomorrow night. He did not tell us this, but put them in the awkward situation of asking/telling us. Our daughters are in their 20's and living for the Lord.

The enemy has a grip on his life for sure so I am asking that you would pray that this relationship would be severed, but also that they enemy wouldn't be able to drive wedges in between family members. Our children are loyal to each other as they should be, but there are some things that parents ought to know about. At the same time, the godly daughters can perhaps influence where my husband and I might not be able to do so. It has happened in the past that when our daughters have shared things their brothers have told them, then the brothers no longer confide in them and go to their wrong friends - a chaos that the enemy is very happy about I am sure. And of course, our younger prodigal is watching and taking this all in......

PLS pray that the enemy would be bound in the life of our son, and that he (satan) wouldn't be able to destroy our family relationships. Thank you so much!

I am still praying for your children, mama.

SDE, it means the world to me! And I for your prodigal....

I am very grieved tonite and yet have hope - our youngest son (19) is into fighting, and has a competition this coming Saturday in another state. I am praying that if it be God's will, he would not win. I don't want anything to prosper that is away from God's ways and how we have raised him. He asked me to wash a new uniform today, and it is white with black letters embroidered on it "BAD BOY".....I am shuddering down to the depths of my being. That is what the enemy wants him to identify with in the kingdom of darkness. May he soon be washed in the blood of JESUS & have the righteousness of Christ.....whiter than snow....

I'll pray more.

I am very grateful for those who have prayed for my prodigals these many months. Oftentimes I feel the prayers and I am victorious and feeling strong. Other times I feel weak. Right now I could use prayer support. My youngest prodigal is leaving this afternoon for a fighting competition tomorrow in another state. I was reading the thread on "Lovers of Darkness"....It is how I feel - like I am looking straight on into the face of darkness and evil - such is how I view this fighting (along with rock music, and violent video games, and sensuality with girls)...I suppose it is the nature of a mother to want to protect, but I can protect no longer (except through my prayers)....As I've said before, the face of evil/darkness seems all the more evil given that my sons are CHOOSING a life of sin even though they've been raised with the TRUTH from babes. That is to me a VERY FEARSOME THING....

So while I KNOW that God is working even this evil for good, and I KNOW that the Holy Spirit is interceding for us before the Father, I still covet your prayers as I am afraid of what it will take in my sons' lives. May God bless you much for your prayers on our behalf!

The battle still rages for the souls of my children and for a home set apart unto Jesus Christ....I am so very, very weary...

:( Love you G*** Fighting with you in the battle...

Isa 40:31 ..they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

may you soar above it all!

Thank you...my mother-in-law's favorite verse....I am not exactly soaring....

I'm still praying for you and your family.

Bless you, SDE....I am still praying for yours as well....I wanted to PM you but there was no email address on your profile, and now that feature is gone. If you can figure out how to put a "safe" email address on yours, and I would try to do the same. Check my profile in a few days as I need to get someone to help me do this (I am not of the younger generation :) )

I had my email address in my profile but didn't realize that it was not visible to everyone. I have remedied that now. :-)

We have hit a new low in our family. I know some of you have been praying, and I believe that God loves prodigals so much that He will do anything to bring them to Himself. I had expressed a concern several months back when our younger son was coming back home that his older brother (who moved to his own apartment) would be a bad influence in his life. Well, our older son is in a very wrong relationship with an older woman and knows we disapprove, so he invited his sisters to meet her - going around my husband and I. The thinking is that they are over 18 and "can do what they want"....Then he did the same thing a week later by inviting his 2 younger brothers to meet this woman and hang around the pool. It was cancelled when we caught wind of it. But his thinking is that our children "can do anything they want" with no regard to us as parents, or any regard to our family unit (the others all live at home)....Today he enticed his younger brother to not go to church with us but to go to Six Flags with him for the day instead - we knew nothing about it until we were loading in our van to leave for church. The "undercover" nature of things is HUGE. If you feel led, I am asking you to pray that God would deal with him in a big way today - he is 5 and 7 years older than his brothers and knows better. All his life he has been taught he is to be the example to them for good. My sons are under the influence of rock music, wrong friends, etc. That is the only possible explanation for such brazen disregard for us, and such a brazen attempt to "lead his siblings to freedom".....PLS pray that God would deal with both of them in an unmistakable way today....(and we need GREAT wisdom).....

Thank you so much!

Psalms 108:12, 13

"Oh give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain. THROUGH GOD WE WILL DO VALIANTLY, and it is HE who shall tread down our adversaries."

Lifting your whole family to the throne of grace. God is able to do great things.

Thank you!!

God is really working on my older son! Please keep praying, and THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Will keep the prayers up for him :) May the Lord soften his heart! Thank you also for the update!

I am calling all prayer warriors for an urgent situation....I know some of you have been praying, and I haven't wanted to take up forum space with continued "little" updates....

But the situation is URGENT for our older son (26) - he is in a wrong relationship with a woman 11 years his senior, of a different ethnicity, with an ex-husband in prison, and 3 older teenaged children. We have tried not to be too hard-line with him so as to not alienate him. NO ONE who knows our family, including our other 6 children, believes this is a good thing. I believe it is satan's grand scheme to ruin his life. Therefore a demonic stronghold needs to be broken - I am asking you to storm heaven with us on behalf of our son who was raised up for Jesus Christ.

The situation has escalated in that last night he asked to meet with us b/c he wants us to meet her. He has already gone around my husband and I by getting his siblings to meet her over the past couple months. His lease comes up for renewal November 29 and he needs to give notice to leave - that is the catalyst for his needing to make a decision and he is contemplating marriage to the point of talking about buying a condo which would require her salary to even qualify, and he would need to take on a long commute (he works for my husband in real estate) as her kids go to a high school an hour away from us.

I don't want to take up your time with more details, but the situation can only be remedied if God undertakes for us...I don't believe my son will have the strength to get out of the situation on his own - only God can intervene.

I have laid it on the altar the best I am able....To God be the glory....this woman claims to be a Christian and that "God told her he is the one for her"....

Praising God in advance for what He is going to do...

Thank you Saints!!!

Father, You understand what this Mother is going through.
You have a Precious Son.
We ask that You work this out.
We know nothing is too hard for You.
Just when things look hopeless, you deliver.
Only You can work this out for their good, and Your Glory.
In Jesus Name.

Thank you, Nellie, from the bottom of my heart! Without Him, we can do NOTHING.....Bless you!

Thank you more than words can say, JiG....I am humbled....

God bless you, Mama....I know the pain is terrible. My husband and I are currently dealing with a similar situation. What makes things worse is that the lady is a 'nice' person, but she does have a husband still living...

Will pray fervently and if the Holy Spirit reminds you to pray for our son, Dean, please do so - and I know you do.

ginnyrose

I have been praying for Dean, Ginny....and I will continue. Yes - painful...One wonders how, having grown up in a Christian home, they can get to the place they are at. Thank you so for the comments, and for the prayers....I keep reminding myself that HE loves my sons SO MUCH MORE than I can even think!

This prayer request pretty much describes anyone and everyone in the nation. I dont "do" vague prayers or vague prayer requests any more than i read horoscopes. God is more inclined to honor *specific* requests because then He gets the glory. All prayer requests should offer at least a first name of an individual, at the minimum. Or at least *some* defining detail. Not trying to be hard on ya, just sayin, it's a little frustratin.

" All prayer requests should offer at least a first name of an individual, at the minimum. Or at least *some* defining detail. Not trying to be hard on ya, just sayin, it's a little frustratin."

I understand your concern, Trekker. I agree. However, on this forum there are those who wish to maintain a degree of anonymity because of the type of concerns shared BECAUSE these persons just might come here to see what "Jane Blow" wrote about me! Follow me? Prodigals are given to making sport of others' spiritual concerns for them - puts parents in a sticky situation.

Just thought I would share another perspective. God bless.

(I do not read horoscopes, either.:-))

Trekker,

I do not understand....I surely hope everyone in the nation who was raised in a Christian home isn't living in open sin and away from God. I have been as forthright as I have been able to be without sharing what I believe my sons would consider a betrayal by their mom...and at the same time we have been in several crisis situations that I thought warranted asking people for prayer....How is it vague to ask that God intervene and block a wrong marriage? Pick any name you want to attach to "oldest son" and "youngest son"....God knows who they are....It's ok if you don't pray. God will lay it on the hearts of those He wants to pray....He doesn't NEED our prayers anyway - He just commands us to pray for one another and bear one another's burdens.

For those who have been praying, I hope to give a grand testimony one day to the Lord's faithfulness. For now, I am experiencing peace in the midst of a seemingly never-ending storm, and that in itself is a miracle.

Praying

Mama, I was reading back up through the posts on this thread and found this quote by you:
____________________________________________________________
QUOTE:
"It's curious to me that if one is diagnosed with cancer, you can get your name put on blogs all over the internet and have literally thousands of people praying for you. I know God can and does work mightily in that way. But because of the sensitive nature of sharing too much publicly, our situation is not one that can be sent all over the internet. But we have SPIRITUAL CANCER, and it is every bit as urgent as those with physical cancer because we are talking about eternity here."
____________________________________________________________

You are exactly right. How many times do people get all up in arms over a cancer diagnosis and fervent prayer is made for the victim. But if the request is for a prodigal people will pray fervently for a while and then slack off. It took me a while to accept this without any resentment....I know people mean well and to them I give them the benefit of the doubt, I do not judge them. God works in ways that are far beyond our imagination...and he loves these prodigals much more then we or anyone else ever can and do.

God bless you, Mama. May His face shine upon you and give you peace.

ginnyrose

Thank you both, SDE and Ginnyrose.....I am not resentful - I am just so thankful for everyone who has prayed. I have been fasting for several days now for my children, and the ENEMY is just ROARING over here.....If I hadn't read my Bible, I wouldn't believe it! I am surely hopeful that we are on the verge of a breakthrough and that is why satan is trying SO HARD.....(also praying for the SI conference too, by the way and wondering if others who are praying are under such attack)

Luke 7:11-16.
Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.
12 Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.
13 When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16 Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited His people!"

Mama, this Jesus, our Lord, is the same yesterday, today and forever. vs 13-15. The Lord has seen your heart, your cry mama. He will surely touch your sons and will say 'arise'. Both dead in sin will rise and speak for the Lord. I love that last part of that verse 15. "Jesus gave him back to his mother".
Just a word of exhortation: When you stand pray, forgive. Hope you don't have any grudge or bitterness or unforgiving attitude towasrd anyone in this world.

The God of peace will surely crush satan under your feet.

Thank you for this Scripture, El-Bethel....and for your exhortation - as far as I can tell before the Lord, I am clear from bitterness and unforgiveness....we are in warfare - Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is already Victor!

I haven't updated in awhile, and just wanted to give a quick word that was encouraging to me....I went to hear Keith Daniel in Milwaukee 3 nites last week. I was able to talk with him on Tuesday and shared with him that 3 years prior, when he gave his talk in that same pulpit on the prodigal, that my husband and I had prayed along with him that God would do whatever it took to save our sons.

Well, he had a lot of encouraging words to me, and then had prayer with me....mostly for me that I would be able to stay standing, but also for those of my children who are away from God - that God would convict them, woo them, draw them....

I have to report that ONE HOUR after Brother Keith prayed with me, our oldest son's vehicle was hit by a young boy who ran a red light - no one was hurt....his car was totalled and he is facing a lot of appointments for minor whiplash. I don't know that my son is making any connection as to the sovereignty of God in all this, but I found the timing INCREDIBLE....

We still need prayer - I am not seeing any breakthroughs in their hearts....Thank you so much to all who have prayed. God WILL be glorified one day!

Thanks for sharing this Mama27.
May God hold you in the palm of His Hands, and save your Sons.God Bless
Nellie

I haven't posted in awhile....the honeymoon is over for our younger son who moved back home 6 months ago. He has started going out late without telling us where he is going and coming in at all hours....has become outrageously disrespectful to me...things that should not go on in a Christian home. He stopped going to church with us probably 6 weeks ago or so. He is a charmer and the world out there thinks he is wonderful. My husband hates conflict, and feels he is young to be asked to leave (19). I am asking God to bring him to the end of himself - as with most rebels, his theme in life seems to be "I want it my way"....I am having a hard time remaining calm and at peace and would appreciate prayer...Isa 26:3

Thank you so much!

A question, if you don't mind:

What would you like God to do in you during this season of trials?

Diane

He is doing it.....working complete trust no matter how awful it looks...."Be still and know that I am God" Ps 46:10. I have come a long way...and expect have a long way to go :)

mama27:
I am so glad to hear you say that. I have been praying for you and your sons for some time. I feel your sorrow; I also have prodigals. I have been praying that God will show you what He has shown me: He has made me to understand that those are HIS children and that He loves them more than I ever can; that I should put my trust in Him as a sovereign God. This has given me great peace. My role is still to pray for my children, but their return to the Lord is not in my hands. I still sorrow over them, but it is no longer a desperate sorrow, for I know the One who changes hearts is in control.

I feared to say this to you and sound preachy and lacking in compassion. It is so easy for people who have not experienced this to say hurtful things, sometimes even with good intentions.

But the same Spirit lives in us and is teaching us the same: Trust in the Lord, "Be still and know that I am God."

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.

Thank you romanchog - things are very very difficult in our home....have been close to tears today as I receive numerous "zings" time after time from several of my children - even as we were eating out with friends. I am reminded of Jesus who took incomprehensible insults and reviling and never retaliated. Oh that I may be more Christlike. But if you have experienced this, you know that not much on this earth can bring greater pain. I am deeply sorry that you have prodigals - I will pray for yours as well. Yes - they are His, and He is able. In all honesty though, today I told the Lord that I am very tired of trying to be Christlike. God bless you! I know the victory will be His in the end...

I told the Lord that I am very tired of trying to be Christlike.

Boy, can I relate! Been there! And so I would say that this is just where God wants you to be. Running out of your own steam is not bad because it opens the way for a different way of life - from endless effort to true freedom in Jesus Christ.

That’s actually the aim in the book, “The Pressure’s Off” by Larry Crabb, a Christian counselor. I’m sure you would be nourished by the book – as I was. Perhaps it answers your prayers.

The front cover says: “Weary? Can’t get it right? Struggling to make life work? … There’s a new way to live.”

It’s the way of grace, really.

Blessings on your valiant journey ... a theological journey in many ways,

Diane

Thanks, Diane...for right now I am even too weary to read a book...I am certain that I am where the Lord wants me to be. I do not want to be the cause of anyone I love using my failures as a reason not to follow Christ. Maybe Keith Daniel and other godly men would respond rightly in every situation (there are MANY), but I do not always respond rightly. I understand that grace sets me free, but I still have a responsibility to live a holy life before God. I do have a lot of days when I am strong, but the weekends are not usually strong days because there is a lot more "in your face" type behavior. I doubt my rebel is the only one who constantly baits with contention....So you try to respond graciously to outrageous behavior....and sometimes you fail. On my weakest days I can barely whisper, "Lord, help me to be found faithful"...

I am so very weary of the battle as satan continues to ravage my family. Please pray for me - barely hanging on.

And my son announced that he will be spending Thanksgiving in his adulterous relationship - if you feel led (and I mean this with kindness, not vengeance) will you please pray that he find no peace, no satisfaction, no prospering in his life away from the Lord. There is such a could over our home in his absence. And I suspect he is trying to lead my 3rd son into drinking and other wrong things....My grief is almost unbearable.

May the Lord bless you for every prayer offered. Thank you...

I do not want to be the cause of anyone I love using my failures as a reason not to follow Christ.

Unfortunately, it’s natural for those who hurt deeply to lash out against the ones who have loved them the most – like parents. And they can always find some “justifiable” reason. But that only keeps them in a victim mode.

For what it’s worth: During my own parenting trials, I found great comfort in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The father does not wring his hands in desperation and guilt. He waits for the right timing - when the son hits rock bottom and returns on his own will. The scripture that finally brought me inner peace was Jesus’ invitation to all those weary from the burden of guilt:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29

Wouldn’t you say that a failure to keep a peaceful conscience through resting in Christ’s forgiving grace is just as much a violation of Christ’s invitation as burying guilt through drugs and promiscuity (or whatever)?

You are precious to God, sister! Today, may you find blissful rest in his grace and peace – as Christ himself bears the burden for your son.

Diane

"Wouldn’t you say that a failure to keep a peaceful conscience through resting in Christ’s forgiving grace is just as much a violation of Christ’s invitation as burying guilt through drugs and promiscuity (or whatever)?"

Thank you for your wise words, Diane. You have obviously been there. But sometimes when you are really knocked down, this advice puts you further under. That is why I have asked for prayer....to hold up my weary hands so to speak....

I heard Keith Daniel say, and I quote directly, "If the devil ever got one of my children, I would die."

And I heard David Ravenhill preach in Atlanta that when he was a teen, he was kept from doing wrong things because he KNEW that if he did them, "it would kill my father, it would crush him"....

Well, I am not the spiritual giants that Keith Daniel and Leonard Ravenhill are....if it would kill them, I cannot feel guilty that it is about killing me. I know they are not mine - they belong to God - I have laid them on the altar the best I can. Yet it is still an enormous grief to watch.

I am not rebuking you. Just trying to share where I am at, and needing prayer. Thank you so much!

I heard Keith Daniel say, and I quote directly, "If the devil ever got one of my children, I would die."

and needing prayer

May God be your absolute sufficiency and your burden bearer. May he direct your family together in a journey to sweet fellowship with Jesus at the one place where all on level ground: equally in need at the foot of the cross. There may you together be restored through Christ’s healing blessings – his mercy and grace.

Diane

Thank you Diane....and yet another blow-up this afternoon b/c son is wanting to bring the "wrong-relationship" woman here on Thanksgiving weekend.....never ends....

Do you really think we won't know the outcome for our children? I had surely hoped so....at least for some of them....

I feel your pain. It is the constant battle that wearies you. My prodigal children do not live at home, so my battles directly with them are not like yours which occur everyday. When they were living at home, I felt defeated daily, always wondering where I went wrong, did I say the right words when there would be "blow ups." I know how you feel. I pray that the Lord will give you strength to endure this very difficult time.

Someone gave me good advice a few years ago: remember that you have other children. Do not put all your focus on the prodigals and forget that the other children need you just as much. They need love, attention, encouragement, and the Word of the Lord in their lives. Enjoy what you have with them; it is a blessing from God.

Also, have some comfort in this: at least your children will come home for Thanksgiving. (Mine will not be here, by their choice.) I will pray that your Thanksgiving will be a time of joy and peace; that the presence of the Lord will fill your home; and that the hand of Satan will be stopped in your home.

God bless you and keep you and give you His peace.

Do you really think we won't know the outcome for our children? I had surely hoped so....at least for some of them....

During those days I checked scripture for examples of stray offspring. There are many. Even Joseph and Mary had children who rejected the Son of Life – when he lived in their very presence. The times when I was overcome with guilt over my own parenting inadequacies, God reminded me that his first children also rebelled. And they had perfect parenting in a perfect environment (which our children do not have).

Now, as I reflect back to those days, I see how deeply God was involved with my own life. God can bring a lot of good through the bad - and he will for you too. Even if your children remain fixed in their rebellion - you can find joy in his LIFE. (I think Kieth Daniels is an unhelpful influence in how he bound up his own wellbeing in his children).

and yet another blow-up this afternoon b/c son is wanting to bring the "wrong-relationship" woman here on Thanksgiving weekend.....never ends....

This is a tough dilemma. It’s a helpless feeling because you cannot make them choose your will. I pray that God will give you insight as to how to handle this wisely and with Christian graciousness, and that he will grant you power to “overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:11

blessings,
Diane

Thank you Romanchog and Diane for your thoughtful comments - I am too weak right now to say anything in response that will make any sense. Pls know that I am ever grateful for your prayers. This wrong relationship is clearly authored by satan, and none of my children want her to come...I can't say anything more - I can hardly think, let alone pray....

Bless you all for praying...

There is a very godly family coming through to stay with us today through Monday - we have known them over 20 years, but seldom see them anymore as they live in another state. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would touch the hearts of my family members and remove the scales from their eyes to see how far they have compromised with worldliness....only my younger prodigal will be here - doubt my older son will stop by.

Thank you for praying for me - once Thanksgiving was past, I started doing better.

God bless you all!

The Lord is answering prayer, and I am afraid.....our younger prodigal stayed out all night on Friday. Our older son has a court date tomorrow for excessive speeding - there is a potential one year in jail vs. community service. He is not a bad kid - just got in with wrong friends. He still needs a wrong relationship severed. Do I want my sons saved - of course. Am I afraid of what it could take - yes....If you feel led, pls pray that God would be as merciful as He can be and still remove the scales from their eyes. Mom could use some grace as well....

I don't know the effect of our friends coming through - I am seeing compromise there as well. I truly do not know how young people can make it in godly fashion with the world such as it is....ONLY GOD....

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every prayer lifted up....God bless you all...

"pls pray that God would be as merciful as He can be and still remove the scales from their eyes. Mom could use some grace as well...."

MY HEART IS GOING OUT TO YOU SISTER!
AND I WILL BE PRAYING FOR SURE!
MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEART.

LOVE, BROWNY

Thank you to those who prayed for me and my son....I am ENORMOUSLY disappointed...my son got off with a low fine which is just a little slap on the hand in my estimation - people could have been KILLED. I did not detect remorse in his voice when he just called me to tell me the results. He plans to come over and tell his siblings about it, but I fear my younger son will have the attitude of "see....you can speed excessively and it's no big deal"....the "won't happen to me" mentality......PLS continue to pray that God will bring unmistakable pressure on my sons so that they have to see their sinful state.....

This has been harder on my husband and I, I think, than my son. Love hurts when you see a loved one on a wrong path. How much the Savior must grieve for each of us when we stray!

Ever grateful for your prayers....Mama27

Thank you so very much to those who have prayed for my family. Christmas promised to be tense and worrisome, but the day(s) turned out much better than they could have from a relationship standpoint.

I am praising God that our younger son (who had run away a year ago and was only home 4 days over Christmas) was FULLY immersed in family activities and often took the bull by the horns to "make things happen"....it was such a joy to watch. Has nothing to do with spirituality, and he did not attend church with us, but it did show that he is still very connected with us, and values home and family. He is more and more into the boxing and the killing computer games so PLS keep praying for God to break through.

Our older son was here for 4 hours and then left for his woman's home. He will have much down time with her over this next week. She is pushing him for a timetable toward marriage (not many women wouldn't do this as she is 11 years older than he is, and women seek security). If any of you have faith to pray, I ask you to storm heaven that this relationship would be severed. He would ruin his life by marrying her. There is not one person who knows our family, including all the siblings, who believes it is a good relationship. God holds such a high view of marriage - our son needs to be saved, of course, but I am also asking God to save him for the Lord's perfect choice of mate.

May God bless you all for your faithful prayers!

I am needing prayer for that peace that passes all understanding tonight as my prodigals are out on this New Year's Eve with its drinking and revelry. This is so beyond my comprehension. I know they are His, and not mine, but I have a mother's heart....If you could pray for me please...and for their protection. Maybe this would be the night God would reach down and save them....

God bless you!

Praying dear sister
browny

Praying for your family, dear sister.

Thank you both SO MUCH....the most unbelievable things are going down this evening...of course we know satan will stop at nothing...my younger son about told us he plans to be out all night....I am just praying that both of them will find NO fulfillment in their rebellion, that nothing would prosper away from the Lord and the way they were brought up....Thank you for holding me up!

It is frustrating for me to pour my heart into praying for people and then never hear an update on them. For that reason I am posting to let you know that there is no change in my situation. Perhaps there is a change in ME in that I sense that I am more yielded to "whatever" God needs to do/is doing.....but there is no evident change in my sons or family. If anyone is still praying, I thank you so much...I know God has stored up your prayers and will answer in His time...

Just to let you know....I don't forget to pray for you and your situation and family dear sister!

Shalom,
browny

May the Lord bless you both (and others) for your faithfulness in praying for a woman you've never met. I have the book you mentioned, JiG....way back to 1980....we are ever learning and growing until we meet the Lord....

If anyone is still praying for my family, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I still cry a lot of tears, and this trial seems to have gone on forever - we are coming up on 6 years, and the intensity has been for 2 years. I know that is "nothing" compared to what many have to endure.

I just wanted to report that we are celebrating my youngest son's 20th birthday tomorrow. Last year he had left home and so we weren't able to celebrate with him. In fact our oldest son plans to come, and he hasn't attended a family birthday in a year and a half. So there is a praise that in spite of the enemy attempts to destroy my family, we are still a tight bunch. There is much to be said for "earthly comforts" such as the family dog, and baking cookies, and favorite meals and desserts, and people who love you....Thank you, Jesus...

Also it is reported to me that our older son has ended the wrong relationship he was in - I am praising the Lord for that as well, though he is still ripe for falling back into that relationship. He is evidencing much "stress" in his life - I am thinking it is pressure from the Holy Spirit due to many prayers offered up on his behalf, and that there is an unrest in his heart about his wrong living.

All of my children are being attacked with worldly philosophies and the watered-down "Christian" living they see all around them. I shake my head in total disbelief as I thought the foundations we laid into their lives were so very strong. Looking to the Lord to save their souls, give them deep roots into Jesus (those who are already saved), and restore the years the locusts have eaten, and give beauty for ashes....

I am hoping to gather my thoughts enough to soon post on how the Lord has used/is using this great trial in my life. If anyone is led to pray, pls pray that the Christ will win over satan in each of my children's lives. And though it seems silly, maybe that there would be no enemy harassment during our family gathering tomorrow....

Lord, families were Your idea....Lord, show us Your glory....

Dear Mama27,

Always praying for you and your family!

Shalom dear sister,
browny

Wonder if you ever stop crying over prodigals and adult children who do not choose to live by the Biblical principles that you spent a lifetime pouring into them with every fiber of your being.... I thank you for every prayer offered on my family's behalf. Sometimes I am doing really well (PTL) and other times, not.....this is one of the "not" times....I still intend to post on what God is teaching me thru this prolonged trial, but for now all my energy is still going into hanging on....God bless you all...

It is my oldest son's 27th birthday today.....God is moving in his life....Please pray blessing over him - that his heart would be captured for the Kingdom and set on fire for the Lord...I KNOW beyond any doubt that God hears, and is answering the prayers of many offered up here.....Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I love all of you, Brothers and Sisters in Christ - your love has carried me through many a dark night...

I am bumping this up for mama27. She is greatly burdened for their oldest son's spiritual condition - it is the source of great grief for this mother.

ginnyrose

I haven't posted for a long time, but want to ask you dear friends to PLEASE keep praying for my sons. Our oldest son came today for Father's Day. He has seen fit to break off the wrong relationship with a woman that I mentioned - I praise God for that! And yet I still see so much of seeking after the world and its baubles, so much self, so much man-centered and rights-centered philosophy. It is the norm for the world that would be understandable if our children hadn't been raised in such a set-apart, following hard after Christ way. My younger son as well - I just shake my head and ask myself how they can possibly want what they are pursuing. And as I've mentioned before, the influence is great on the other young adults in our home b/c they love their brothers dearly. I live in constant grief while trying to thank God for what He is doing that I cannot see.

I just wanted to ask you to continue to pray because time may be short. And so selfishly on my part, I would dearly love to live in a Spirit-filled home....Thank you for every prayer you've offered for us!

I haven't had anything to report. Things have been moving on as the "new normal". Oftentimes I feel as if God is doing nothing, but of course I know that God never does nothing. Our younger son is a little less hostile for which I am thankful.

But I come to you all again for prayer for our older son. He said something to me today that I cannot post here. It was so out of character for him that I thought it must be the devil himself talking to me. Prior to 2 years ago or so he was the most tender, happy, compassionate, caring young man. I don't recognize him anymore, and feel that satan has a tremendous grip on him in areas that I probably don't even know. He has another girl who is not good, but we would expect nothing different from someone who has turned his back on God and his Christian upbringing. Keith Daniel used to call it "when your children want the devil"....it makes me shudder to watch this, and I am praying that he will reach the bottom soon without lifelong consequences.....Pls continue to pray....

Thank you SO VERY MUCH! I long to be able to report something good....

JiG....

I don't understand a word of what you are saying since I am tech-challenged....BUT when you get on your dad's computer on Aug 12 can you please email me your home address?

As always....THANK YOU for your prayers and love....I've decided to take a new line of thinking when things get VERY BAD (which happens more often than I like).....I am going to tell myself and the Lord - well....God will get even greater glory when He delivers from all this....

Bless you.....

Much emotional trauma from my 2 prodigals and how they are living has come to me on my birthday weekend....I have SUCH an incredible burden for revival and prayer, but I cannot pray in the Spirit when I am torn up...I don't know if it is even possible for a mother to divorce her emotions from her children, but if it is could you all please pray for me that I could so totally leave them to the Lord....it would be much easier to not see them or talk to them or hear about what they are doing....but that is not Christlike either. I am just having a hard time....right where the enemy wants me. I would so like that perfect peace that passes all understanding so that I can continue to be involved in their lives even when they are doing so much wrong....somehow I have to not care if that makes any sense at all....

But I did hear Bro Keith Daniel say on a sermon about the thorn in the flesh (can't remember the exact title) that "if the devil ever got my children, I would just curl up and die"....That is sort of where I am at. I just MUST do better. Thank you ever so much for those who have carried me/us in prayer all this time...

And thank you Brother Greg and some other men who have shared testimony of their waywardness and how God delivered. Truly it has given me hope. So God DOES use our trials to help others...

God bless you all....

I hate to ask for prayer yet again, but I just continue to see relentless attacks from the enemy on my children and in my home. I am not meaning to bring disrespect in any way, but it is as if my husband has opened the door to the enemy and invited him to dinner by some of the things he has allowed in our home. I pray and pray and seem powerless to stop it.

We took a 2-day trip over the weekend, and it is my middle son's birthday today, but there is no peace. There is constant tension and compromise with the world at every turn. My prodigals have rubbed off on the others, and the enemy seems to have deceived them into believing that their brothers are having more fun their worldly way.

We were once a godly family - I at least thought so - and others who knew us would have said so about us. This is just so exceedingly painful to watch and to live through. If I could ask for prayer again, just would you please pray that God would get ahold of hearts here - they know what is right. And that whatever hold satan has over our family would be broken....

Thank you so much, and God bless you....

Praying!

Praying!

Praying for mama27 and her family

Bless you, Learn!

I have not updated in awhile...my older son is about to go on a trip with yet another wrong young woman....I am asking God to stop it, or to teach him lessons thru it.

Our younger son does not show signs of interest in spiritual things, but he seems to be softening toward his parents, and loves his family. For that I am very thankful.

The spirit of the world is greatly upon my entire family. There is dating when we have trained our children in courtship. There is immodest dress. There is an addiction to the "screen", whether it be movies or internet or cellphone...

But in it all, I can see myself growing in yieldedness, an ability to stand on the promises of God, and more frequent times of victory than when I first posted 2 years ago. I believe God is FOR my family and each of its members - after all we were HIS idea, HIS creation. I do not see outward change toward God really, but there is certainly change in me....

Thank you ever so much to anyone who has uttered even one prayer. Surely God hears!

Bless you, Learn!

I have not updated in awhile...my older son is about to go on a trip with yet another wrong young woman....I am asking God to stop it, or to teach him lessons thru it.

Our younger son does not show signs of interest in spiritual things, but he seems to be softening toward his parents, and loves his family. For that I am very thankful.

The spirit of the world is greatly upon my entire family. There is dating when we have trained our children in courtship. There is immodest dress. There is an addiction to the "screen", whether it be movies or internet or cellphone...

But in it all, I can see myself growing in yieldedness, an ability to stand on the promises of God, and more frequent times of victory than when I first posted 2 years ago. I believe God is FOR my family and each of its members - after all we were HIS idea, HIS creation. I do not see outward change toward God really, but there is certainly change in me....

Thank you ever so much to anyone who has uttered even one prayer. Surely God hears!

Dear mama hello there, we have lost touch for awhile. It's hard to be in many places at once.

I know we share much the same pain. I also still hear and see much that causes me pain as you know some of. YET, though I don't always FEEL His mercy every morning (can you relate?) I still CLING to every memory and special Word that He gave me often after the hardest times when I felt utterly broken..(I'm sure you can relate to that too)

I'll cont. to pray for you. And I thank you for yours. :)

Today the Lord blessed me w a wonderful mindset that I needed very much. It was a reminder. When I see my children in my mind & face to face, I will inwardly (there is a reason not outwardly) speak the words "O how I love you, I love you so much." O I am sure I am going to be speaking LOADS, but inwardly. And as I do, I will be talking to the Lord about it all I am sure every step of the way. O what a glorious day here or in Heaven when our faith becomes sight. But we can carry this cross together, for H's too. Through loving prayer and encouragements. We are never alone, I know you know this & every tear is caught. But we must must must not grow weary in doing good.
I remember when God taught me to smile away my tears. I'm back there again, I haven't had to use that just smile trick in a long time. This last attack was really bad. My mistake was playing right into it. Man I so regret that, for I reacted in anger. I don't much like my anger, tisn't nice. It was a real sin begats sin moment.

God must trust us mama, He simply must be seeing something in us we don't see yet. I believe it is Jesus. In ALL HIS strenth & glory.
I'm with you sister, we Will get through this, His way, for His purpose and for His glory. > We will. Sending My Love & Prayers.

I have been reluctant to post anymore asking for prayer as I have believed that those who are praying will pray whether I post or not. And also, there are so many other requests that it is hard to keep up with....I don't wish to take away from the others...

I wouldn't be on here except that all the fury of hell has come at my entire family of 9 people yet again. The enemy is seeking to destroy what we set out to build for Jesus Christ...I have fasted and prayed and fasted and prayed....I am asking you to hold up my arms yet again. This battle is so much more than "me" or MY children.....it is a Kingdom battle for I know that I know that I know that the Lord Jesus Christ had us to have these children and to raise them up for Him....I have never in my life seen such fury against what outsiders would call "a good family"....

I am begging God to intervene as I know He is able, and that whatever lessons we are supposed to be learning, we would "get it" so we don't have to repeat them. I so desperately want to please Him and be found faithful, but so often I feel like fainting and just "checking out"....I can barely stand...

May God bless you for your faithful prayers....

Hi mama27,
You and your family are in my prayers. Please don't think that by posting, you are taking away from the others.

May God strengthen you and grant you and your family grace and mercy in this difficult times. I guess God is asking you to trust in Him when things seem impossible--both for your strength and your family's safety.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Still praying for you and your family, mama27.

Thank you so much, Learn! I do not feel I should post more....there is "movement" if you will, but nothing that one could construe as "good news" so I am trying to be content knowing that God is doing a work in me. My prodigals seem no closer to the Lord, and the influence which we did not invite, is pulling my others down. I try to be silent just for the sake of keeping peace, but I do not always succeed. Truly the verses are true about the man's enemies being those of his own household. At the end of the day, I just try to live in a way that the Lord is pleased with me (I do not always succeed at that either, but I know He loves me)....Thank you so much for your prayers...

I am really, really, really low at what the enemy continues to do in my home....if anyone is strong and could pray for me...thank you.

Many of you have prayed for the 2 prodigal brothers in the past. I am so grateful. God is working. His most recent work is in the death of my mother on Wednesday. She was a religious person all her life in a mainline denomination. We had witnessed much about her need to be born again. My children saw the intense concern that my brother and I had regarding her salvation over recent years as she had Alzheimers and we knew our window was closing. She had an acute illness this past Monday, and her 11 grandchildren stood with us for a 2-1/2 day period in Cardiac Intensive care - they saw death firsthand, and parents who were reading Scripture and praying over the many hours. We begged her to place herself in Jesus' hands. There was no lightening or obvious presence of God as she passed so I do not know for sure her spiritual state, but some feel that she may have gone with the Lord.

This had a huge impact on my children. I am grateful for this experience so that my prodigals could see death and the brevity of life. In addition, at the same time, a 20 y/o acquaintance of my older son was killed in a car accident. It shook him. He is a church organist and will be playing for my mom's funeral (in the mainline church) on Monday. My younger son talked about how you cannot manipulate God for your salvation- he knows all the terminology - it is his heart that doesn't want to yield.

Can you please pray that God will keep this ever before them, and use it in a mighty way to bring them to salvation. There are cousins as well who are living the prodigal life.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you for every prayer offered for my children....

Praying, mama...

Sandra

We are praying, have prayed, and will continue praying. May the LORD be glorified in their lives.

mama27:
we are continuing to keep you and your children in prayer.

Thank you all so much! Oh the work that God is able to do in a wounded heart....it hurts so much to see my kids hurt...seems that whether my mom is with the Lord or not, she left a gift to her grandchildren of 3 horrible days to watch and see the sting of death. Of course we know that sting is removed in Jesus. I am thankful that they were face to face looking at Eternity for one they love. Someone said that these kinds of things either soften you or make you more hardened....I surely hope the prayers of so many accomplish the former. Bless you all for lifting us up for so long!

Hi mama27,

If you have not heard this sermon I would highly recommend it.

Your First Mission is Your Family - Don't Let Go Of Them! by Keith Daniel

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=3993

I have heard it Proudpapa, but thank you for the reminder - I will listen again...Maybe someone else reading this also needs to hear it...

I wish I could find words to express my heart. My children have seen that my every concern for my mom was her salvation. I have one brother who is also a strong believer along with his wife. But the grandchildren, especially the sons, are dabbling in the world. It was not how they were raised, and grieves us so much. I praise God for the ugly, ugly 3 days in ICU preceding death. Our sons so needed to see that. And to top it all off, at the very same time, someone fairly close to our oldest son was killed in a car accident at age 20. He will be at that funeral today, and play the music for my mom's funeral tomorrow. Our younger son, who in his words "has heard every sermon there is" has said following my mom's death that "he knows he cannot manipulate God". That is a start... Oh that God would do a MIGHTY WORK in these young people for His glory!

John 6:44 - "No one came come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him."

Bless you all for your prayers!

I have not asked for prayer for a long time. I thought that there are so many needs and I didn't want to be giving a blow by blow of my family's issues. I have known with 7 children (6 still under my roof) I am in this for the long haul. But the spiritual oppression, and seeming victories of the enemy, and the many broken relationships are so intense that I am asking prayer again. If anyone is led to pray against what satan is trying to do in 9 lives who had set out 30+ years ago to raise up godly seed, I would be ever grateful. This started out as a prayer for 2 prodigal sons in 2010. But now all my children, even the God-fearing daughters, have been sucked into the enemies lies....Sometimes I feel I am just going to crater. Of course those are just feelings, and I KNOW that God is faithful. Thank you so very much!!

May God continue to strengthen you dear sister as you continue to intercede for your children. This modern world in which you are rearing them is ruthless in its attack on the foundation on which you stand. The only hope they have is that mama continue to ignore the feelings and stand on her faith. They do not realize how extremely blessed they are to have a mama that prays for them, but one day they will!

It is encouraging to me to see this post that has been going for several years because of a mother's love for her children. I pray that God will continually work in their lives until they each see their need to wholeheartedly surrender to the Lord.

One of the brothers in our church was a rebel the whole time he was growing up. His mom had prayer meetings at the house and he would slip out the back. When she passed away he was holding her in his arms. He told her then, "one day I am going to give my life to Jesus". He grew up in Honduras. Many years later, here in Louisiana, a friend told him that he was invited to a revival. He told his friend: "You see this cigarette I'm smoking? It is my last one. I am going to that revival and I am going to give my life to Jesus and quit smoking, drinking, drugging and all the other things I'm doing". And so he did! That was in July of 2009. A couple of years later he got tripped up and discouraged and fell, but after a time of prodigal suffering, he came back to Jesus, and has been steadfast ever since.

I hope that your prodigal children never have to sink to such depths of suffering. May God continue to work on them until they return to the Father's house.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, and the verses, and mostly for your prayers....words cannot express my gratitude!