“But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
Many families have suffered the heartache of a child turning his back on God. Whether it is a total rebellion against the teachings of the church or a gradual drifting and indifference to things spiritual, the parents are left with sorrow, questions, and often guilt that they have somehow failed in their parenting.
A look at some notable Bible families shows this happens in even the most godly of families. Those in leadership are not exempt from having children who turn away from God. Consider Aaron, Eli, Samuel, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah— just to mention a few. God understands your feelings, for He also had a child which caused Him much grief (Jeremiah 31:20).
A PARENT’S COMMISSION
What steps can a parent take that will help?
- Lay a strong foundation.
Begin at your child’s birth. Whisper the name of Jesus to your child the moment he is first placed in your arms. Deuteronomy 11:19-20 lets us know that the very fabric of family life should be woven with things holy. Talking about God should be as natural as breathing.
“But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
Your example and your words teach about God. Religious training is the responsibility of parents. While the church can supplement your teaching, it cannot assume the entire role.
- Cover your children with prayer every day.
Every day, throughout the day, ask God to protect your family.
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17)
One mother shared her story. “I prayed while my boys were babies that if God saw they would not serve Him and would be lost, to take them from me while still in my arms.” A radical prayer? Perhaps. But the words came from the heart of a mother who recognized that nothing mattered more than the souls of her children.
Job, the concerned parent of ten children, chose to pray for them before trouble came—just in case they had somehow sinned.
“And rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually” (Job 1:5).
But you say you have done all this and still your child turned away from God. You have lived a consistent Christian life before them. You have honored God and taught them His principles. You have covered them with prayer and fasting. Now what?
- Prayerfully wait.
Although difficult, this may be all you can do, especially if your child is no longer in your household. Your heart may break as you watch him go deeper into sin. You may see destructive relationships, addictive habits, rebellion, or bitterness. Or, they may seem successful in life, rich with material goods but empty spiritually.
The father of the young man we call the prodigal could do nothing but wait and pray. He no doubt understood the dangers and allurements that could entice his son. To try to follow and plead for his return would have been futile. Only when the young man hit bottom did he come to himself (Luke 15:17). That self-realization turned him toward home to a loving father patiently waiting.
KEEP BELIEVING
If your child is away from God, claim Jeremiah 31:16-17 as your personal promise of his return.
“Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.”
Fast. Pray. Believe. Wait. Welcome.
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
