A Way Home

 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19

I've been battling sickness most of this week, and still am, but it's on my heart to get this out. Many within the church are heartbroken over loved ones who've walked away from the church. Others, myself included, grieve over loved ones who have never known Him. I have this prayer, related to the Scripture above, in my prayer journal. I share it with you today.....Father, for all those who have wandered away, make a pathway in the wilderness, that they may come home.

I encourage you to pray this with confidence. As a father, mother, brother or sister. As a friend. My confidence lies not in the prayer, but in the God to whom it is prayed. I believe that He will literally move heaven and earth to make a way for a lost soul to come home to Him. Despite what you see in their surface behavior, ask God to plant seeds through His powerful grace in their hearts. Pray that He continues to water that seed by His grace. Pray that He will bring that loved one home to Himself. It's His will that they should come home to Him, so believe that He will be faithful to act in response to your prayer.

Focus on Him as you pray. Ask Him for insights on how you should pray for these ones. Ask for words to speak  to them, for wisdom and discernment on when to speak to them. Pray in confidence of His hearing and moving, but pray also with all of it submitted to Him. Cast the burden you carry for them upon Him. You can't really carry it. He can and He will.

This is not a "guarantee prayer." Each of us does have a free will, but I believe when such prayers are lifted to Him, His grace and power are released in ways beyond our knowing. He pursues until the very last breath of that loved one. Commit them to Him, and trust Him to work. God works. Always God works.

Blessings,
Pastor O