Prayer for the Prodigal

In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son. The prodigal left what he had for a moment of pleasure and it cost him everything...yet, when he was completely broken and at the end of himself, he returned to his father's house and his father welcomed him back with open arms...and the life that he once had was returned to him. And I bet it held a much greater value.

Like I've said before, I am separated from my husband, and praying God will work on his wayward heart. Today is Father's Day. Did he see his boys? No. He was chasing after that momentary pleasure that is now costing him far more than he wanted to pay. He sent me a text tonight that said, "I know that there is nothing I can say or do. I have abandoned you and I am lost. I don't want to be sick anymore. For so many reasons. I want you back. Please stop hating me. This is not me. I don't know where I have gone. Pray me back, it has to work because you're my wife. God is keeping you."

I share that text for two reasons, or rather, two reminders:

(1) No matter how lost the prodigal in your life is, no matter how far gone they may seem or how much pain they may have caused you, there is a part of them that hates where they have ended up.

(2) They have lost their way and need our prayers to find their way home.

You never truly know the heart of a prodigal, but you do know the heart of your God. He is faithful and will complete the work He has begun. Yes, my husband has hurt my children and I deeply. Yes, by the world's standard's we have every right to hate him. But by God's standard's, I have every reason to forgive him. My husband knows that if I am angry I will be unable to pray for him, thus the reason for his plea to stop hating him. Do I hate him? No. But I hate what he is choosing and I hate the cost. He has chosen death instead of life and now he is lost and cannot find his way home.

I watched a video once. I wish I could recall the title. But there is one line that haunts me still. A mother's son had been murdered. She went to the murderer's sentencing and prayed regarding the man that had murdered her child, "God you have forgiven so much, help me to forgive so little." That prayer was made from a tear stained face and a broken heart. And her prayer has become mine. The Lord forgave ALL. Who am I to hold a grudge against one, when I am a sinner too and just as guilty of the nails in His hands.

Lord, forgive me for my unforgiveness toward your prodigal son. Soften the soil of my heart and plant the fruit of forgiveness, patience and longsuffering. Help to honor my husband and his request to pray him back to You. And thank you that no matter how lost he is, he still knows that You hold us in Your hands. Amen