One of the reasons for God allowing us a prodigal is to grow our hearts to be more compassionate with other humans. Mr Banks notes, “Through prayer He takes us by the hand and leads us to fresh places of grace that we never would have seen if the challenges had not come.” (p9) Parents who have been blessed not to have rebellious children might not understand the struggles of parents with prodigals, but again, we can all learn about our own wayward nature as we read through this book, and hopefully, we can learn to have more compassion towards parents who do suffer with defiant children.
One thing we can learn is to not give platitudes to these parents because that does not help. Often we already know all the truths, like “God has them in the palm of His hand” or “God has a reason for everything that happens.” Again, we already know this, yet our hearts are breaking and we just need someone to sympathize with the real pain we are experiencing at the moment. Again, I think this is why this book can be a blessing to everyone, whether you have a prodigal child or not, and even whether you have any children at all. As a family in Christ, we should know how to serve every one of our brethren, so having others around us who understand the struggles we prodigal parents go through can be such a relief for us.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a prodigal parent is just listen and hold their hand. Sympathizing, even if you cannot empathize, helps us feel connected to God and others, and brings some Hope to our often very serious circumstances. Perhaps if you know some parents going through a tough time with a child who has willfully defied them, you can point them to this book, or better yet, just pray one or two of these prayers with them, and then for them. Praying in Faith, trusting God to move in that child’s life, can bring such amazing peace to a hurting parent’s heart.
Listen to this excerpt of the first prayer Mr Banks shares: “He needs me to pray now more than ever before, and You alone can help me to do that….Fill me with your Spirit and let your love flow through me into my child’s life…. ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’ (Mark 9:24)…You have brought my own prodigal heart home, and I thank You that You will do the same for my child.” (p12-13) Notice how Mr Banks inserted Scripture as I mentioned the other day? This book has been, and continues to be, powerful in my life and I know it will be for you as you pray it over your own, or someone else’s child too.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
<>< Peace, Diane
