Prodigal Prayer Day 2026 Preparing Our Hearts: 5 Transforming Words!
It’s that time again: Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day. Every June 2.
It started in the midst of my son’s wilderness journey as a prodigal. It took a while for him to consistently respond to our prayers. Today he walks with Jesus, loves his family, works hard at his job. But it was a long journey, for us and for so many others.
Though we do not know exact numbers, we believe thousands pray every year on June 2, for their own wanderers, as well as for many others. I am writing to you today because we have discovered that our enemy, Satan, does not want our loved ones to be set free from the traps and temptations the evil one is always setting for our sons and daughters. Therefore he does all he can to thwart our prayers. When we pray, we enter enemy territory.
So I am writing some hopefully helpful posts to prepare us for the battle. Because the battle is twofold—the devil is determined to hold on to our prodigals, but he will also do all he can to entrap us. My focus, therefore, in the five thoughts I will be sharing will be first for us, and then for those we love.
My theme is 5 Transforming Words. In my many years of seeking to follow Jesus, He has repeatedly revealed and reminded me of five words that have been transformative in my life—and in relating to and praying for my son.
The first word is Thank. As in that (seemingly) crazy admonition to “give thanks in everything.” I am grateful that the command was not to “give thanks for everything.” But “in everything” is still rather challenging.
Give thanks has been one of the most important, helpful, even life-changing truths I have learned. God is so clear in Scripture: Pray about everything, with thanksgiving. In all things, give thanks. (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Why does He say this? Everything? All things? How can we do it? He says it because He knows giving thanks is the fastest way to change us.
When we say, “Thank You, Lord,” almost immediately our focus changes. Instead of centering on the pain caused by prodigal(s), I center on God. Sometimes it is barely perceptible, but it’s there. A small shift from fear to faith.
When we say, “Thank You, Lord,” we are saying, “I believe You are God and I believe You are good. It doesn’t feel like it right now, but Your Word assures me it is true, I have known it to be true, and I choose to believe it now.”
When we say, “Thank You, Lord,” we are expressing trust in God and His trustworthiness. That step of faith and obedience does a couple of wonderful things. My mind and my emotions quiet, settle, perhaps even relax. I begin to experience peace in the midst of turmoil, hope when there seems to be none.
And in ways I don’t fully understand, saying “Thank You” begins to open doors. It's as if those words said in hesitant trust give God a key to us, to our hearts and minds.
With that key He unlocks doors shut by our pain, our anger, our fear, our resistance. We begin to get glimpses of answers to our prayers, of more steps forward than backward, of new attitudes. And occasionally of outright transformation.
So my encouragement to you is to do just that: Give thanks.
How? Every day, name or write down at least one thing you are thankful for. Can’t think of any? Then start with things in your own life and relationship with God. Ask a friend or family member what they are thankful for. Look around your home or neighborhood for something that brings you joy.
Try adding one more specific “thank you” each day. But if one is all you can manage, God will gladly receive that.
And still begin that transforming work in your heart and mind.
Want to learn more about the transforming power of giving thanks? Try this: https://judydouglass.com/blog/2013/11/how-to-cultivate-a-grateful-heart?rq=thank
c 2026 Judy Douglass