Praying for Prodigals

Praying for Wayward Children

Be a Light in the Dark World

We are entering a special time of the year. A time when we reflect on the birth of the Savior and celebrate with family traditions. For many, their traditions include a meal with extended family and special food dishes reserved for the holidays.  Perhaps there is someone missing from your festivities this year – someone you love who has chosen to be absent for reasons of their own. Their absence feels like a rejection, and it leaves you

with an empty place in your heart – as well as the table.

Not being able to share your love and celebration with your prodigal child is a painful reminder of the broken relationship. Where there should be mutual love and respect, you are left with something cold and empty. If the empty place at the table is threatening to steal your joy, and perhaps even distract you from the sweetness of the other relationships in your life, consider this:

Just as you miss them, Jesus longs to be in relationship with your missing loved one too and – He will never stop inviting them to His table. In Luke 14:22, Jesus told a parable of a wealthy man who planned a great feast. His invited guests did not all attend, so the master said to his servant, “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:22).   

God put the love you have for your prodigal child in your heart. The love you feel is a mere reflection of the love He feels toward them – and you. Let that love spill out toward others and see what He does with it this Christmas. You can be the hands and feet of Jesus - and a light in the dark world - when you reach out to someone outside of your family at Christmas. There are people all around you in your community and in your church who would be blessed by the kindness you could share with the them.

Prayers for Prodigals

In His Presence, There is Joy

Nehemiah 8:12 describes a time when the Israelites were filled with bitter sadness as they realized how they had sinned against God. Nehemiah responded to their sadness with this instruction: “This day is holy to the Lord your God, so you are not to mourn or cry. Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong.”

God is near to the brokenhearted. And in His presence there is joy. So, let His joy in your heart spill over toward others who need Him. Consider…. serving in your church’s Christmas Eve program. Or,

-Take baked goods to an elderly neighbor. 

-Send a Christmas card to someone in your church’s prison ministry. 

-Drop off snacks to first responders who must work on Christmas and be away from their families.

Be willing to go to the “highways and the hedges” that God’s house may be full. If you ask God to open your eyes to the people who need a special touch from You this Christmas, there will never be an empty seat at your table!

Blessings, 

Lily