“Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools” (Psalm 84:6).

This verse may not seem significant for you today, but let me tell you what I found out about the Valley of Baca. Baca means Weeping. When you love a prodigal, it often feels like you live in the Valley of Baca. However, the phrase “passing through the valley of Baca” is a promise in itself. It is not your home! You are simply passing through this valley! Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

Let me tell you what else I found in the center reference column in my Bible.

1. Well is also translated as spring.
2. Filleth the pools is also translated as covers it with blessings.

So, let’s read that again! “Who passing through the Valley of Weeping make it a spring; the rain also covers it with blessings.” The New Living Translation says it this way: “When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.”

In this Prayer for Prodigals ministry, we celebrate raindrops, evidences of God’s hand in the lives of prodigals, and so many pray-ers have received their deluge—the salvation of their prodigals. For so many others, the waiting is still their reality, but I believe this psalm tells us in another way that “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). I believe it is a reminder that “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness” (Psalm 30:11).

So, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9), and “… be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:15 NKJV).

The outcome is too important, the most important, so we will not faint. We will fight until we come out of the Valley of Weeping.

Our Father, I pray for those who love and pray for a prodigal that You will renew their strength and help them not to give up in the fight for their family, their prodigals. Restore hope. Cover them with Your wings.

Help them cover themselves with Your armor and take up their sword, Your word, as their weapon. Remind them to praise You when the battle is hottest. Help them remember You are riding on the heavens waiting to help them (Psalm 18:10; Deuteronomy 33:26-27; Psalm 68:4). Give them a personal promise or verse of Scripture to hold onto, and then help them to remember to stand on Your word and Your promises to them.

In Jesus’ name I pray.