Many of those walking through the doors each Sunday at church are carrying, what can be at times, an unbearable weight – the weight of a prodigal son or daughter. The ache for these dear ones is like no other. The prodigals may hurt them and disappoint them, and yet they cannot stop loving their prodigal.
Many of these parents feel alone or lost and wondering if they are the only ones carrying this pain. And countless of them have felt the sting of judgment as they come to church looking for love, support and help only to get a sideway glance or a discouraging comment on their parenting skills.
This past week we gathered together a group of parents with prodigals to pray and connect with others who understand. As I heard them pray I was struck with the undeniable feeling that a parent of a prodigal might be grasp prayer better than anyone I have ever prayed with. Not because they are great orators. Not because they have a gift of prophesy that enables them to see what the future holds for their son or daughter. Not because they are theological giants. They are champions of prayer because they cry out to God from a heart that is broken. And they connect with God, the Father of prodigals, in a very deep and genuine manner.
The night was filled with tears of those calling out as they brought their prodigals to the cross of Christ. Groups of parents knelt at the cross, where the mingling of their own utter helplessness and God's total power to intervene was heard in honest and heartfelt prayers. Together they placed their prodigals in the hands of our all-loving and all-powerful Heavenly Father and clung to very real hope that God, as a prodigal parent, understands and is in control.
When we had finished praying and crying together many expressed that they had no idea that so many others were struggling with in the same way, had never felt this kind of support before, and that they had never been a part of such a powerful night …
… and personally, I also can’t remember a greater time of prayer.
Living by His Grace,
Kaj