Susan LaffertyUnexpected surrender started with an invitation. Out of the blue. To consider a role in the U.S.
And our immediate thought? No. Can’t be right. Our calling is cross-cultural. Among the nations.
Besides, we weren’t ready to leave South Asia and her people. The place had wrestled its way into our hearts.
Then another ask came. To focus on megacities in South Asia. Surely that’s the one, we thought. Fits our heart and skill set. New city. Same area of the world.
I remember the day it hit me. Specific prayer for my teen was a much more effective way to persuade her to do something. Words seemed to have little effect. Even triggered resistance. And created a rift between us, making matters worse.
But silent prayers by faith—with a sincere heart—brought change in a way my parental speeches had not.
And praying changed me. Helped me consider what was true. What was necessary. Brought back memories of my own journey in adolescence.
This experiment was a process. And led to a few practices that paid off in building relationships with our teens.