Rest in Obedience: Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals 8

This is another in a series of letters to those who have prodigals in their lives.  This is part 8 of the REST theme for this year’s Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals on June 2.Dear Lover of Prodigals,“Do you want to adopt him?” The child services rep was speaking to my husband and me.A pause.Memories flashed through my mind:A word from God years before: “I’m sending you a son, and you don’t need to do anything about it.”The amazing way God brought this boy to us as a 9-year-old foster child.     Who could hardly read or write.  Who was shackled with the results of his birth mother’s drug and alcohol addictions.  Who carried numerous disorders: ADD,     RAD, LD. Who trusted no one, but had so many needs.He came to our home.  We got him tutoring.  Introduced him to boys from good families.  Made him go to school.           Provided many enriching experiences.  Encouraged spiritual development.We were far from perfect, but we sought to love him and care for him.In return we got ingratitude, disrespect, lies, trouble at school.   Our peaceful home became chaotic.  He didn’t care if we adopted him—he agreed because he didn’t see a better option.Emotionally we—my husband and I and our daughters—thought to say no.  Why should we sign up for more of the past three years, for permanent chaos?But God’s word came clearly: “I told you I was sending you a son. Why are you rejecting my gift?”So we said yes.And in that yes there was rest.See what the writer of Hebrews tells us:Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it….because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed…Now we who have believed enter that rest….Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.”…  “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” …Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.(Hebrews 4:1-7)Here’s the really good thing.  One of the things we desire for our prodigals is to learn obedience.  Yes, obedience to us, but especially obedience to God.  How will they learn that? By watching us walk in obedience.There is rest in obedience.It is less than 4 weeks till our big day—when we together will boldly enter the Holy of Holy, the Presence of the Most High God, and present to Him our petitions for many hundreds of lost sheep. Keep preparing your own heart as well as breaking up the hardened soil of your loved ones in prayer.Feel free to send these letters on to friends, or repost my blog posts on Facebook or Twitter—let’s find as many as we can to pray for, and to join us in praying.Rest well, my friend.Judy Douglassc2011 Judy DouglassIf you would like prayer for a loved prodigal, or if you would like to pray with us on June 2, write to us at prayerforprodigalsatgmaildotcom.First <<     Prev <    > Next