Happy Monday!
Have you been praying for someone to come to Jesus for so long that you fear it may never happen? Does your prodigal feel so far from God that it seems like your prayers aren’t powerful enough to make a difference?
Before we jump into today’s devotion on praying for our unsaved loved ones and prodigals, let me share a story with you:
After I filmed my
I’m Waiting, God Bible study in Nashville, my 60-something Uber driver, William, shared his testimony as he drove me to the airport. The son of a Pentecostal pastor, William ran from God for more than fifty years. He described years of alcohol addiction, rebellion, and broken relationships. I’ll never forget the moment William looked at me in the rearview mirror with tears in his eyes and told me about the people he'd hurt and lied to, including his wife.
Four years before I met William, the song “Amazing Grace,” shook him to the core. It was the line “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear. And grace my fears relieved.” On that day, William knew that he needed to stop running from God and he recommitted his life to Jesus. He ended his story by saying, “Barb, I’m so glad my family and friends never stopped praying for me.”
These are the stories we need to hear, right? But fifty years? My goodness—that’s a long time. William's parents may not have lived to see their prodigal return, yet they prayed faithfully until their last breath. Every prayer mattered!
This week’s Happy Monday is for those of you who’ve been praying for a long time for your unsaved people and prodigals. By the way, if you’re new to this series, you can find previous devotions linked at the end. Over the past three weeks, we've covered how to pray for unsaved loved ones and addressed the embarrassment, shame, and frustration that often come with loving a prodigal. Last week, we looked at James 1:19 and how fear and pride can make healthy communication nearly impossible.
Today, let's talk about prayer and what we need to remember about God when we wonder if He’s listening. Let's be honest with some of the thoughts we don't like to admit to others - or even to God:
“Does it even matter if I pray?”
“They’re so far from God that it feels foolish to keep praying.”
“How long, Lord?!”
If that’s you, come with me to Daniel 10 for a powerful reminder that God hears your prayers and an important reminder of how God feels about you, dear friend.
In Daniel 10:2, we find Daniel grieving and praying. God’s people had been in captivity for seventy years. Although they’d been allowed to return and rebuild Jerusalem, they faced intense opposition. Daniel set aside his usual comforting food and personal luxuries to pray for them:
I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed. -Daniel 10:2 NLT
Then, Daniel saw a vision. A heavenly figure appeared, and Daniel collapsed from weakness. Here’s what happens next - and notice the underlined portion:
“Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” -Daniel 10:11 NLT
Let that sink in. In this vision, Daniel is reminded of God’s heart. This is reinforced by what the messenger says next. Again, check out the underlined portions:
Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. -Daniel 10:12 NLT
From the first day. At this point, Daniel was likely in his eighties or nineties. From his teenage years in exile to the lions’ den and beyond, God wanted Daniel to know this truth: every prayer had been heard. Next the messenger explains the delay in Daniel's recent prayers:
But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. -Daniel 10:13 NLT
If you’re familiar with this passage, there’s a lot that we could discuss, but the main point is that the messenger let Daniel know that the supernatural battle raged between God and evil, so the answer to Daniel’s prayer was caught in that battle.
As you and I contend in prayer for the salvation of our loved ones or the spiritual chains of rebellion or pride to break off our prodigals, our prayers are also a part of the great spiritual battle between God and Satan. While we don't always understand who that battle works, it's important for us to remember that a delay does not mean denial. Two things are true: The battle is real and our prayer matter. So, don't stop praying!
Here's a reminder of a verse that I've shared during this series about God's heart toward those far from Him. I hope this comforts some of you:
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. -2 Peter 3:9 ESV
Here are a few takeaways to hold onto today:
1. You’re praying for your loved one—but don’t forget that you are precious to God. Here's a reminder from Psalm 139:17: How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
2. From your first prayer for your loved ones, God has heard every one! Remember, you don't need to carry the weight of their salvation, just pray for it.
3. When you feel weary, ask God for strength.
At the end of Daniel’s vision, the messenger touches him again and says:
“Don’t be afraid, for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” —Daniel 10:18 NLT
Friend, that’s how I want to close today. Never forget: You are very precious to God. Don't stop praying! He hears your prayers.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Did you need today's encouragement? If so, hit reply and type “encouraged.” Did you need to be reminded that God has heard every one of your prayers? You're welcome to share how today's devotion ministered to you, especially if you needed to be reminded that you're precious today.
Thanks for joining me today!
