“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Like so many verses in the Bible, this verse doesn’t seem to match up with our experiences with our prodigals, but we know every verse is truth, and we know that every word will come to pass.

In this verse, Paul referenced Isaiah 49:8, and when he said, “… now is the day of salvation,” he could write that because Jesus had already paid the price for the salvation of every man, and it can be accepted at any time the Holy Spirit calls.

We know sin is never God’s perfect will, so it is not His perfect will that prodigals live in sin one more day.

So, what is stopping His perfect will from being done? Their free will.

It seems like a no-brainer to us that salvation is the best possible decision a person could ever make, and staying in sin, in bondage, makes absolutely no sense. Why would someone choose anything over Jesus? Hell over heaven? Death and destruction over abundant life? Darkness over light? A drug or alcohol experience over the presence of Almighty God? It makes no sense.

It doesn’t make sense until you look at it spiritually. Prodigals can’t see God for who He is. They cannot hear His voice to hear truth. Their minds are closed to knowledge of Him. Their hearts are like stones causing them to be unable receive salvation.

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil, the real veil, was torn in two, granting anyone access to the Lord, allowing us to go boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).

But, as usual, Satan devised counterfeit veils—he seems to make counterfeits for the blessings of God that seem wonderful at the time but will actually hinder blessings. His counterfeit veils, devices to keep people away from God, sometimes take the form of lies, deceptions, and blindness to the truth; addictions and other strongholds; controlling spirits and ungodly influences.

If a prodigal could clearly see the Lord, hear His voice, know Him, and witness what is real about Him, I believe they would run as quickly as possible with no hesitation straight to the open arms of the Lord! How could they resist His majesty?

So we pray to clear the path! We come against Satan’s counterfeit veils in prayer, prayer that will result in the path being cleared for their return to the Lord. The Lord Our Shepherd, Jehovah Raah, is already pursuing them, drawing them, seeking them, going to them (Matthew 18:11–13).

Considering this, the way we pray is influenced. It causes us to include prayers against every hindrance: veils, lies, hearts of stone, ungodly influence, deception, control, walls, strongholds.

Let’s clear the path!

Our Father, thank You for providing for free access to Your presence, and thank You for drawing __________ back to Yourself.

I pray __________’s eyes will be opened so he/she will be turned to light from darkness and to God instead of being controlled by Satan’s power so his/her sins can be forgiven and he/she can be sanctified by faith in You (Acts 26:18).  Let __________ only see You, hear truth, know what is real, and accept only You and Your will for his/her life.

I pray that every veil of hindrance keeping __________ from You will be removed. Clear the path straight back to You.

In Jesus’ name I pray.