Prodigal, part 2

It’s early 2013. Delhi, India. And I’m standing at the bathroom sink. Crying out to the Father. Again.

I can see the marble counter. The dingy mirror. Remember the blur of anguish. Helplessness. 

“What are we to do, Lord? How do we help our son?”

The Lord has already made two things clear to me in that season (as detailed in Prodigal, Part 1). 

1. Wait. Wait on the Lord. 
2. Devote yourself to prayer. 

Now I’m standing on the tile floor, in evening shadows. Pleading.

3. This comes out through prayer and fasting

Immediately after that cry for help, the third answer comes across my mind. Clear as day.

“This comes out through prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).

What? I’m stunned. It catches me off guard. 

The context of that verse is clear. The story of a young man whose demon the disciples are unable to cast out.  They ask Jesus later, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” (Mark 9:28)

And this is His answer to them. “This comes out through prayer and fasting.”

Radiance in the dark

At the time, I’m regularly prayer walking in our neighborhood. Sometimes with friends. Other times alone. 

Specifically, I’m asking that the radiance of Christ shine in the dark. In places of futile worship. Under trees. On street corners. In temples. Where every name except His is lifted up throughout the day. 

At every turn there are signs of this.  The offerings. People bowing. Incense. Idols.

Something spiritual

My husband often tells the story of Robert Louis Stevenson as a little boy. Sitting at the window watching a lamplighter do his work.   The story goes that his nanny asks what he’s looking at. “I’m watching someone punch holes in the darkness.” 

My husband goes on to say that when you’re punching holes in the darkness, sometimes the darkness punches back. 

Is that what is happening?

I’m not sure. But from that point on, I’m alert to this. That in the middle of illness and the unknown, in the subtle resistance, there is something spiritual going on. 

A personal step

I know the next step. There’s no research or analyzing or fanfare. No perusing a list of how and why to fast. 

I simply, quietly begin. And eventually develop a rhythm. Weekly. To focus. Listen and pray. 

In the process, my own divided heart must be exposed and dealt with. Pride. Selfishness. Resentment. 

The battle is real.

Corporate prayer and fasting

On our region’s monthly day of prayer and fasting, the prayer strategist asks everyone to focus on those among us who are dealing with unexplained illnesses. 

Our son’s name is on that list.

We are strengthened in the waiting as our brothers and sisters in Christ pray. And fast.

4. Praise the Lord for His
unfailing love

The fourth answer comes in the midst of a worship service. With a call to praise Him before we see the victory. 

Praise the Lord for His unfailing love.

In the time of not knowing the rest of the story. In the season of fog and storm.  When we wake in the night to anxious thoughts. 

Praise Him.

“Therefore, through [Jesus] let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

It is a step of faith. And freedom. To praise His name. Hand over the big picture details to the Father. 

And trust Him. (More on this in the following post Surrender and worship.)

In due time

One day I see an article that puts a question in my mind. Is our son truly a believer? He “accepted Christ” at a young age but several statements in the article make me wonder. I pray for his salvation.

Several months later we are in Arizona. During that brief 2015 visit with family in the desert city, our prodigal son’s eyes are opened. To the consequences of continuing to live the lie. Not only for the liar, but also for friends and family. 

He is shaken. To the core.

That same week we visit his aunt’s church. Where the pastor preaches on a topic that pierces his heart— Integrity. 

That is the beginning of breakthrough. His heart turns toward Home. 

Share the story

If you meet our son today, he will gladly share the story. Of how he was dead. But now he lives. How he repented of his sin and believed the gospel. 

On July 16, 2015.

He will tell you that Jesus transformed his life when he came to true faith. 

It is an amazing and beautiful story. Of new life through his Lord and Savior. Life that is offered to all who will repent and believe. 

Our son was lost but now is found. 

Alleluia.

Courage to keep on

The four simple things I heard in that season stayed my heart. Anchored me on the Lord and His Word. They gave me courage to keep on keeping on.

1. Wait. Wait on the Lord.
2. Devote yourself to prayer.
3. This comes out by prayer and fasting.
4. Praise the Lord for His unfailing love.

The Body of Christ prayed. Came alongside. And strengthened us in Him. 

One friend told our son after hearing his testimony: “I was praying for a sickness that was deeper than I knew.” 

Yes. A sin-sick soul in need of a Savior.

Those who wait

Today I pray for other prodigals. And those who love them. 

I thank the Lord that He sees. He hears. 

And that He comes near to us as we draw near to Him. The Good Shepherd with us in the waiting. 

In the unknown, He knows.

Great is His faithfulness.

What about you?

Is the Lord leading you to take another step as you pray for the prodigal? What is He teaching you on this journey?

Related posts

Prodigal, part 1 – Trust Me – Stones in the river – Surrender and worship – Set free on the Sabbath – Broken bowl and the Potter –