<br/>Loving a Prodigal: Love Goes to War

This is the eighth post in a weekly series of mini-devotionals on LOVE, which is the theme of the 2014 June 2 Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals. This letter goes to the members of the Prayer for Prodigals community, but it is true for all of us.

We have an enemy. And so do our prodigals.

That enemy is a liar. He will say anything he needs to to lead our loved ones astray. (John8:44)

That enemy is a schemer. He is tricky and sneaky—always seeking ways to divert and entrap those who so easily succumb to his ruses. (Ephesians 6:11)

That enemy has hurled curses across generations.

That enemy is a lion. He is on the hunt, looking to devour and destroy those we love. (1 Peter 5:8)

But we love, and love goes to war. Love enters the battle. Love fights.

On June 2, 1997, three significant things happened regarding our prodigal.

First, he met Jesus. He was 14 and in a residential program. His house dad, Mike, called to tell us He had received Christ and they had baptized him.

Second, I had the only real vision I have ever had. I could see God above me, with a vat full of something which he was pouring into me. I asked what it was. “It’s my love for Josh. You’re going to need it.”

Third, that night and the two nights following I was in an intense spiritual battle. It seemed that Satan was not happy that Josh—one of his own—had been snatched from his grasp and he was determined to keep Josh from truly following Jesus. For three nights I didn’t sleep. I just prayed for my son.

Then God released me from those all-night prayer vigils. But not from fighting for my son.

We have this June 2 Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day because that battle grew fiercer. It has not been easily won. The evil one has not been able to snatch this boy/now man from God’s hands. But he has wielded great influence, enticed with irresistible temptations, sent harm and destruction his way many times.

But he will not win, with my prodigal or yours. Because we love our prodigals. And love goes to war.

We are the father standing between a child and harm, a mama bear protecting her cubs, a friend indeed standing strong, a brother who has his brother’s back.

We will put on our armor (Ephesians 6) and stand against the enemy. He will not defeat us or destroy our loved ones.

How do we fight?

We resist the devil (James 4), demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4), break the chains and set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Of course, no matter how strong our love, we do not have the power in ourselves to win this war. But we have the power that overcame sin and raised Jesus from the dead living in us.

As we let the Holy Spirit fill us and empower us, we see--for ourselves and for our loved prodigals--the fulfillment of this promise of God’s rescue through His unfailing love:

“But I trust in you, Lord;

I say, ‘You are my God.’

15 “My times are in your hands;

deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

from those who pursue me.

16 “Let your face shin e on your servant;

save me in your unfailing love.” (Psalm 31:14-16)

What about you? For whom does love have you fighting?

c2014 Judy Douglass

It is just 2 weeks until our June Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day. If you would like more information, to request prayer for a prodigal, or to join our full-of-grace community, please write to prayerforprodigalsatgmaildotcom with your questions or names, or for an invitation.