For seven years, my young adult son did not visit our home. A surprise visit recently gave me a ringside view of his prodigal pigpen predicament. Suffering consequences of his own doing, he sat mired in the sludge of sin and self-pity. My son remained independent, proud, and unwilling to submit to God. From my mom-vantage point, I hurt as I observed his emotional pain.
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? Psalm 13:1-2
The depression covered my prodigal like a turbulent storm cloud, unleashing its hail of condemnation and tornado of confusion. Like a dank encompassing fog, depression penetrated his body, mind, and soul. The vegetative signs of depression were sad to watch: an expressionless face, perpetual sleeping, mindless gorging on food. Anhedonia, the lack of joy or pleasure, reigned in his life. Having progressed beyond numbness, my son found no contentment or purpose in his situation. I noticed. I prayed. Then I prayed some more.
Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1
In Luke 15:11-32, the biblical account of the prodigal son, the father waited expectantly for his estranged son to return home. The important detail not recorded is how long the father waited. I know mothers who have prayed and waited decades for their prodigals to turn to Jesus. Time spent in prayer is much more productive than wondering and worrying about an estranged child. But I find it difficult to focus on the praying, not the worrying.
Lord, my son is your prodigal, a runaway from your love and forgiveness. How do I point him to you? Previously, the mere mention of your name brought derision and anger. Please God, overcome the spiritual darkness that threatens to suffocate him. Shine your Holy Spirit’s light of conviction, counsel, and comfort into his life. Lord Jesus, accomplish your saving, redeeming work. Fill my son’s mind with the truth of Jesus Christ, giving him wholeness and freedom. Shift his entire foundation, until he is grounded in you. Only you, Jesus, can instigate change in my son.
Lord, help me to see and listen, not jump in with my own solutions. I repent of what I have done wrong: nagging conversations, mother-smothering, pride-driven meddling, and even wanting to give up. Lord, forgive me for what I have not done: not listened to your leading, not controlled my temper, not recognized what he needed, and not understood his pain.
Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
By the time the biblical prodigal son came home, he had squandered all of his inheritance. Convicted and repentant, the son returned to his father with humility and a willingness to serve. Luke 15:20 says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” We do not find out how many months or years had transpired. Instead, the Bible focuses on the father’s joyous and loving greeting.
Father God, thank you for the sweet surprise of my son’s visit home. Draw him back to you in love and repentance, so that he will experience your forgiveness and perfect love. Please help me be a faithful mother who never stops praying. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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