Breaking Life Bondages

Is someone you love depressed, oppressed? Are you? We have an enemy. And a rescuer. ( I wrote this years ago in the middle of a prodigal wilderness, for those who love a prodigal. Now it seems like all of us are living in a wilderness.)

Sometimes it seems like my (working hard to not be a) prodigal is under a curse.

Actually, I think he is.

In the past most of the bad things in his life were due to his own bad choices.  And yes, he still experiences consequences from those bad choices.  I’m sure some of his difficulty in finding a job stems from those choices.

Now, he is trying to turn his life around.  He is desiring to make good choices and move toward a different way of life.  Yet it seems that every day something happens to distract or detour or depress him:

*Wrestling with a friend at a bachelor party resulted in a severe sternum contusion that was so painful for weeks that he could do little physical activity.

*A job he got would earn so little he couldn’t afford the gas to get there.

*A most wonderful girl he was seeing decided his past was too close to the present.

*His dogs got out of the yard again, a neighbor reported it again and animal services slapped him with a huge fine.

*His beloved grandfather is not in good health.

I could go on. He feels like he is trapped.  Under attack.  Can’t get a break. In bondage.  Cursed.

I believe some of what our prodigals experience is relentless attack from the enemy of their souls.  Satan does not want them to become the men and women God created them to be.  He will use any weapon he can to keep them from truly following the Savior. He does the same to us who love them.

He tempts and entices them—and he knows what works best.  He orchestrates circumstances.  He surrounds them with wrong friends, co-workers, influences.  He woos them with things of the world and the flesh.  He convinces them temporary pleasures will bear no lasting consequences.  He traps them with addictions.  He applies curses from generations past.

Yes, I know they make choices to fall into his traps.  But we are wise to recognize that an enemy is at work, seeking to subvert all our efforts to help, guide, rescue our loved ones.

Scripture tells us that our enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).  He wants to devour your prodigal and mine.

Yesterday I was reminded of this wonderful verse:  “‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds…. ‘“(Jeremiah 30:8).

We are not powerless on behalf of these we love—we have the power of El Shaddai—the Almighty, and El Elyon—the most high God.

Jesus has promised:  “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29)

The Apostle John assures us: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

We know these promises.  I have claimed them many times.  I have prayed to break bondages and soul ties  and curses.  Sometimes we see great breakthroughs.  Other times it seems not.

But we don’t know what is going on in the heavenlies, where the battles are being fought.  My part, your part: to persevere in prayer in faith and trust.

This is not a how-to, just a reminder.  There are books and prayers and other resources at the Prayer for Prodigals website.

I’m so grateful we join together and pray for each other and all our prodigals.

One day we will see the freedom, the victory.  In the meantime, we wait on our faithful God—on our knees.

May you know that Satan does not win,
Judy

What about you?  Where are you in a battle for yourself or a loved one?

C2013 Judy DouglassIf you would be interested in requesting prayer for a prodigal loved one, or being a part of our wonderful praying community, respond in comments or message me on FB.