When you’ve Done ALL That You Can Do

As a parent of a prodigal child, I can assure you that I have done everything possible to bring my child back to the ways of Christ. I have fasted many, many times in hopes that,” some things are broken by prayer and fasting alone.” Last December, I was fasting 1-2x per week, believing that my fasting was helping bring my child closer to Christ and breaking the “strongholds” in his life. Fasting alone did not seem to be working, so I then added a book about praying scriptures over your prodigal children. I prayed through the entire book in the 90 days it suggested, believing that was the answer-praying scripture daily. I was already praying morning and night for my child, but when my prayers were seemingly going unheard, I started to add fasting, speaking scriptures, and then I restored to begging and pleading with the Lord. Through the years of my child going his own way, I have had countless intercessors pray for him, believing perhaps God would hear their prayers-for I was certain I was doing something wrong because my prayers were appearing to go unanswered.

When my child first started going his own way over 10 years ago, I prayed daily but never restored to begging God for him to turn back from the things of the world. You see, if you have never had a child “wandering” in the world year after year involved in all sorts of heart-wrenching activities such as any type of addictions, homosexuality or different levels of mental/emotional instability-please don’t judge, when I say after a decade of praying, I started to beg God. I was tired and mentally and emotionally exhausted. I needed God to come through quickly, I mean didn’t He know valuable time was being wasted? I spent last Christmas without my child for the first time and that led me to do whatever I needed to get God’s attention-fasting weekly, praying scriptures, and devoting a lot of my prayer time to what I call “spiritual warfare intercession,” or taking back what the enemy stole prayers. I went into overdrive time with my prayers, fasting and scripture reading. I became much focused on my child’s deliverance that my prayer needs were virtually non-existent. I mean, I did not have time to focus on other prayer needs, my child was in trouble and he needed me to help rescue him!

After months of believing somehow if I did this or that right in praying for my child, than that would get God’s attention and He would finally answer my prayers. I just needed to know the formula for God to hear my prayers, because I needed Him to act quickly. I tried everything I knew to do! I even took advice from well-meaning people, believing maybe they had the answer, but still my child is not delivered. Oh, what is the momma to do? I want him to be all better, but the Lord says, “Let him go.” You got to be kidding Lord? Let go? The Lord showed me that letting go does not mean that you don’t love them or that you are giving up on them, it means that you are taking the backseat and the Lord is now driving-His ways and His time table! Ouch! Can’t say that thrills me to take the backseat to my child’s life, but I am not God and He knows better than I do. I have to let go of how I THINK the outcome SHOULD turn out. I have been given so many prophecies concerning my child, and in my mind they should be unfolding right about now. I am impatient and I want to see the promises come to pass in my lifetime.

I am learning to walk by faith and not by sight. If I look to long at the circumstances around my child’s life, I get depressed, anxious and fearful. I never wanted things to turn out like this, I would have hoped that by now breakthrough and deliverance would have occurred. God gives me what I call “little nuggets” of hope that he is still working. The answer to God answering our prayers, is not dong more in hopes that will move God, but trusting and resting that He hears even the tiniest of our prayers. God is moved not by us doing, going to more Bible studies, having more people pray for our situation, or fasting more, but by our faith. It takes great faith to let go of your loved one and let God take the reins. It takes great faith not to live in torment, fear, anxiety, or depression concerning your loved one. It takes great faith to have joy despite the deepest trouble in your life. It takes faith to say, “Not my will be done, but your will be done Lord.” It takes faith to believe God knows our heartache and will use it for good. It takes faith to rest and not strive to make God move on our behalf. In rest comes peace, with peace comes joy.

When your dreams and expectations have been dashed for your loved one, take hold that you are not alone and God does repair shattered dreams. I don’t know what the outcome will be in child’s life, but I know God is routing for him way more than I am-and that I have done all that I can do. Now it’s time to rest…trust…and let go and let God.

What To do If Your Child Says, I'm Gay"

                                 

First of all as a parent you are not alone. Hearing that your child is gay is not an easy thing. Do you just accept it because culture says, “You were born that way?” Do you compromise your beliefs as a Christian?

Never give up praying for your child!

First of all don’t start quoting a bunch of scripture to your child. This will not help, even though it is truth. Be careful not to condemn them as a person. We all have sin in our lives, and sometimes the enemy has a greater hold on others. Spend time with your child without compromising your beliefs. Let your child know that you love them unconditionally, and that their lifestyle will not take away your love for them. Too many Christians are passing hate and condemnation over this lifestyle, but isn't sin, sin? Why categorize sin, God does not. Focus on your child’s strengths and that God did create them for His plan and purpose. You don’t always have to talk about their lifestyle. You can talk about things your child is doing in their lives. Encourage the good that you see in them.

As a parent the MOST important thing that you can do is pray. That is not to be underestimated. Prayer is your best choice is dealing with your child in this lifestyle. You, as the parent become an intercessor for your child. Be willing to never give up, even when it looks like the situation will never change. Be the praying momma or daddy. My son knows I pray for him, and most of all he knows that I love him. He knows where I stand Biblically, but we no longer get into long discussions about his life choices. I simply bring these petitions to the throne of God. Sometimes, I have to be alone and cry and speak with God privately about my heart’s desires for him.

Just because the culture says it is okay to be gay, does not mean you have to accept that. It also does not mean that you can do the opposite and demean and condemn your child. They are worthy and valuable and God died for them too. Focus on what is right with your child. Pray for ministers and people of God to be able to speak truth into their lives. Never give up on your child, even in the darkest hours. Love is powerful and a force that the enemy cannot reckon with. Yes, it will be hard at times, but are we not called to love as Christ loves? We can still love without condoning and compromising. How else would unbelievers come to Christ unless we show them the Father’s love?

Parents, take heart, this is a tough journey. If you are married, make sure you take date nights with your spouse regularly. Spend regular time alone with God, pour out your heart to Him. Cry when you need to and express your concerns to God. Pray day and night for your child, never stop praying. Take time for yourself and do something just for you. This is a long and sometimes tiring journey, so make sure you are taking care of you. Don’t focus solely on your child and their lifestyle, step away from the constant need to think continually about them and their situation. Take rest days when needed and unplug from email, Facebook, twitter and the phone. Reach out to a friend you can trust. And remember that you are not alone, there are so many Christian parents who are going through exactly this. There is also hope, I have personally known several people who have been delivered and set free from this lifestyle. It is not up to up to change our children, it is up to them to want to change, and of course Jesus can deliver any stronghold!