<br/>Treasures from the Wilderness 1: Dependence on God

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.

We have now entered into spirit and heart preparation for the June 2 Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day. Each week we will be going to God’s Word with open spirits and hearts to hear from Him, to be ready to enter into the battle for the souls of the wanderers we love. Our theme this year is Treasures in the Wilderness.

Dear Lover of Prodigals,

We get there eventually.

In the early days of our wilderness journey, we are sure we can solve this problem of a prodigal.

If they are young, we try many things—appropriate efforts:

Fun family times.

Church youth group.

Boundaries and consequences.

Counseling.

Even a residential program.

When our wanderer is older, we have little control and must use love and influence to encourage wiser choices.

Time passes.

If nothing changes, as the wilderness grows denser, we become desperate. And that’s when something wonderful may happen. We recognize that our only hope is in God, and we are driven into His loving arms.

It happened to me.

My heavenly Father welcomed me with open arms. He listened to my cries. He accepted my anger. He acknowledged my fear. He captured my tears. He received my desperate pleas.

When I was ready to give up, He held me up with His victorious right arm:

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Desperation is wonderful?

It is if it causes us to recognize our own inadequacy, weakness, powerlessness and then turn to the one who is more than adequate, strong and powerful. That one, our God, is, gratefully, willing to share His power with us:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20)

What a treasure we receive as we exchange our own self-dependence for total dependence on our powerful and loving God!

Resting in Him,

Judy

What about you? Are you still trying to do it yourself?

C2019 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 write to me at PrayerforProdigals at gmaildotcom.

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