Breaking Life Bondages Part 2

Once a month I write a letter to the wonderful Prayer for Prodigals community I am part of.  Often those letters, though specific to those who love a prodigal, apply to any or all of us in the challenging circumstances of life. This is Part 2 of my letter from last week.

Dear Lover of Prodigals,

Last week many of you responded to the letter on Bondage Breaking, agreeing that you are seeing the pattern/evidence of strongholds in the life of your prodigal.  The Lord has continued to open my eyes on this topic.  I believe it is why so many of our prodigals take so long to return.I know many people are far more knowledgeable on this reality and how to break down those strongholds than I am.  I keep holding on to my simple trust in God’s promise to give freedom.

I’ve been reading in Isaiah (again) and God has spoken to me through several verses in Isaiah 49.  I realize these verses concern the children of Israel and the promise of their return to their land.  But every time I read them, God whispers to me that He will set free far more than Israel many centuries ago.

So perhaps these Words from our Lord, via Isaiah, will encourage you as well:

Isaiah 49:3-4:   “He said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.’  But I said, ‘I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing…’”

That’s what it feels like sometimes, doesn’t it.  We love, serve, encourage, discipline, spend—and PRAY! We are weary.  Our strength is spent. And where is the result?

***Isaiah 49:8-9: “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you;… to say to the captives, “Come out,” and to those in darkness, “Be free!”’”

I believe God is saying to us:  “I will answer you.”  And to our captives living in darkness:  “Come out.  Be free.”

***Isaiah 49:15-16: “I will not forget you! … See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands….”How often I rest in the assurance He will not forget me—or you or any of our loved ones.  The evidence—He has engraved us on His own palms.

***Isaiah 49:25: “But this is what the Lord says: ‘Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.’”

Every time I read this verse I see a picture of my prodigal—and your prodigals—in the grasp of the warriors of Satan, his demons fiercely holding them as plunder for the evil one..  But God says He will contend with those fierce warriors and will retrieve them and save them!!  My heart leaps!

***Isaiah 49:23: “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

When I read that last phrase, God’s peace washes over me. My prayers and hope are not in vain.  He is God and He is good.  He will not disappoint. May God confirm in your heart and your mind that He is in the battle with you, fighting for your loved one.

Grace and peace,

Judy

What about you?  Does someone in your life need to come out and be free?

C2013 Judy Douglass

If 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.