Prodigals are isolated and lack hope. The Bible tells us that “the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Just like a lion, he preys on the weak and those who fall behind. His tactics include isolating our children from us physically and emotionally. He seems to be successful at keeping them from spending time with us and other believers, and his lies cause them to think that we have nothing in common with them and that conversation with us is undesirable.

Another trick of the enemy is causing them to think there is no hope for their salvation. He may be telling them they have done too much to be forgiven, or that they have gone too far to find their way back to Him, or that they do not deserve to ask His forgiveness or help. There is even a doctrine that says if you ever sin after being forgiven that you can never be forgiven again. These prodigals feel that they have no hope of ever being saved and forgiven.

First, we pray. We can pray against these tactics of the enemy. I am including a prayer against isolation and for their having hope below, but allow the Spirit of God to take your prayers further than what is written. COVER your prodigal(s) in fervent prayer.

Also, let me encourage you to reach out to your prodigal(s) with words of life and healing. Tell them something you admire in them. If you have a broken relationship, begin to take steps to heal it. Tell them you are glad to be his/her parent. Or tell them you think of them all the time and miss them, that you miss having a relationship with them. Ask God what is best for you to say; He knows what will touch their hearts the most. Invite them to dinner, and you pay. And when you are tired of always doing the asking, and perhaps are hurt for the repeated rejection, ask again, or send yet another card or letter or text. Keep plugging. The devil does not stop, and we should not, either. Fight for your prodigal with love.

God is working.

I hear bones rattling (Ezekiel 37).

Promise: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NKJV). “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Romans 8:25 KJV).

Praise: El Shaddai, The Almighty, All-Sufficient God

Prayer: Our Father,  I pray that __________ will come back to our family and other Christians so that we can minister to and protect him/her. Satan is trying to devour __________, but You are El Shaddai, and I ask You to protect him/her from all of Satan’s schemes (1 Peter 5:8). I ask that __________ will long for time with godly people, and that he/she will lose interest in the other things and people that have drawn his/her attention away from You. I see that __________ is cast down, is disquieted inside, has little hope and joy, and is so bound. I pray that he/she will hope in You and praise You for Your help. Please, help him/her to know that he/she is not too far gone to be saved (Psalm 42:5). I pray this in Jesus’ name.