Praying for Your Prodigal

[Madre]

Praying for Your Prodigal: Have Faith in "Hopeless Cases"

Dr. Ray Pritchard

http://crosswalk.com/family/parenting/1391968.html


When you pray for a loved one who seems hardened against the Lord, pray that the eyes of their heart might be opened so that the light of God can come flooding in. And if that seems hopeless, at least it puts the hopeless case at God's doorstep, which is where it belongs. On Saturday night there was a "hopeless case" in the Garden Tomb. On Sunday morning the whole world changed. You never know what God will do, so keep on believing and keep on praying. God specializes in impossible situations, and he loves to prove that hopeless cases aren't hopeless after all.

[mama4ever]

Thank you for the link, it blessed me.

I have a prodigal, he is 24. It has broken our heart. [cry]

My husband and I are also in the process of building a web site for the prodigal. Keep us in your prayers.



[angel]

[Madre]

You're so welcome! Never give up hope for your son because God is faithful! He loves him even more than you do. [hug]

Romans 15

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

[Madre]

A Prodigal Son


Does that lamp still burn in my Father's house,
Which he kindled the night I went away?
I turned once beneath the cedar boughs,
And marked it gleam with a golden ray;
Did he think to light me home some day?

Hungry here with the crunching swine,
Hungry harvest have I to reap;
In a dream I count my Father's kine,
I hear the tinkling bells of his sheep,
I watch his lambs that browse and leap.

There is plenty of bread at home,
His servants have bread enough and to spare;
The purple wine-fat froths with foam,
Oil and spices make sweet the air,
While I perish hungry and bare.

Rich and blessed those servants, rather
Than I who see not my Father's face!
I will arise and go to my Father:—
"Fallen from sonship, beggared of grace,
Grant me, Father, a servant's place."

~ Christina Rossetti

[Madre]

Praying for Your Prodigal: The Merit of a Mother's Tears

Ray Pritchard

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/1391971.html

How precious are a mother's tears! There is no substance more valuable in all the universe than the tears of a godly mother. There are mothers and grandmothers who have prayed their children and their grandchildren to Christ. There are mothers and grandmothers who have seen their children in the "far country" of sin and have prayed them step by step back to the Father's House. When everyone else gave up, godly women laid hold of heaven and claimed their offspring in Jesus' name. And God heard those prayers and answered them.

[mama4ever]

Thank you so much for the links and poems they have encouraged me. My husband and I have been praying for 7 years. We have been through a lot with our oldest son. We also have a 13 and 9 year old. They have been a blessing to us through all of this.

My husband and I are currently working on a site to open soon as a support site for the parents of prodigals. The Lord has seen us through every sitution.

[angel]

[Madre]

Children in Crisis

by Michael Wells

http://www.abidinglife.com/site/library/family/children-in-crisis.shtml


It seems that adolescence has as much to teach the parent as it does the child. Many parents experience full-on panic attacks as their children enter adolescence, and this reality speaks volumes about the faith of the parent.

First, I don’t believe that parents are taught the normal progression of God’s work with man. We are given independence, mess up our world, and choose Jesus to sort out the mess and ourselves. People are too often told that if they follow certain formulas, they can bypass God’s order. God’s order can never be undone. Every single person that comes to Jesus will come in some form of brokenness.

Parents fall victim to these special formulas because they want to believe that if the formula is followed, they won’t have any problem with their children and can live in comfort. It is the parents’ fault for being deceived. I am asked, “Well, what about all those kids that never have any problems?” My answer is the same, “What kids? All have sinned, have they not?”

First, stop thinking about what you should do as a parent and start thinking about what you are to do as a child of the most High God. What are you to be doing today? What is God telling you to do? Not just with your kids, but your family, your mate, your job, and most importantly, what are you doing with Him? This is the advice that Samson’s parents got when they questioned the angel as to what they were to do for the boy. Live separated to Him, obey Him, and you will be the believer that you need to be. Everything else will flow from that.

Second, I am not saying that you do nothing, but is your faith in the doing or in your God? I liked having family devotions at night because I believed God wanted me to have them. However, I never for a minute believed that the devotions would make my children Christian; that is God’s job. Yes, we do have standards, we do enforce them, we do what is good for the child, and we do fight for our stands. But unless God puts His fire in a person, none of the above will change him. We do protect our children, for one day we will hand their lives over to them, and we want to give something of value.

Now, I end where I began, with parents hitting the panic button because they have no God! Your parents didn’t put the fire of God in you; I can’t imagine that you will put it in your child. However, you can trust God to do it as He follows His order. It is very easy to tell the difference between the child that has been touched by his parents’ teaching and the one that has had a personal touch of God. Which do you want?

[mama4ever]

Madre,

Thank you for another good read.

I really appreicaite the articles you have posted and the sites they come from. Thank you also for thinking of me and my family. It is a blessing and I want you to know they have encouraged me.

Even though I know in my head and my heart all that I have read. Sometimes when situtions come you need to be reminded. We sometimes get caught up in the sitution and not what we know is true from the Lord's Word.

Your sister in Christ,
Mama4ever

[angel]

[Madre]

Even though I know in my head and my heart all that I have read. Sometimes when situtions come you need to be reminded. We sometimes get caught up in the sitution and not what we know is true from the Lord's Word.

I'm so glad that the articles have blessed you! What you said above is so true and some of my "best friends" in tough times have been writers that have reminded me of the truth. Never give up, dear. God hasn't. :)

[Madre]

What to Do When You Think You've Lost Them

by Jenefer Igarashi

My mother was one of those parents. She loved God, truly loved God, and desired nothing more than to see her children walking in truth. It is so sad to know the years of turmoil she went through with me. I remember coming home at around four in the morning to find her in front of the couch on her knees, crying. She told me that sometimes it would almost be easier if I died than to watch me live the way I was living. She was always waiting for the police to come and tell her that I had been killed because of the depraved groups of people with whom I was entangled. No mother should ever have to feel like that. Many could have pointed fingers and smugly told her, "Well, if you hadn't spoiled the little beast, then she wouldn't have turned out so badly." That would have been completely true, but it could not fix her problem.

When I reached the age to begin choosing what I would follow after, my mother's world held no particular interest for me. I dove headlong into depravity, and there was almost nothing she could do about it. Almost nothing.

My mother had made many mistakes in my formative years, but those could not be relived or done over. And so she did the only thing that she could think of. She started begging God. She didn't just pray every once in a while; she pleaded and cried and banged on Heaven's doors. She was like the widow in Luke: so persistent, so unwavering, so broken and truly at a loss. She begged God to grab hold of my nasty, hardened heart and to make it His. She prayed for both of my sisters as well.

No, my mother was not the shining example of how to foster obedient, compliant children, but she had something that I believe is just as worthy (if not more!) in God's sight. She clung to Him, and she faithfully brought all three of us girls before His throne. I believe that God reached down and literally swapped me out for somebody brand new. The "old me" was an abomination. There was no amount of counseling, cajoling, threatening, or guilt trips that could have made me come to my senses or to bow my knee to any authority. She knew that the only way I would change was supernaturally. She did not have it in her power to do that. She had to ask her Dad to do that. And He loved her so much that He heard her prayers and answered, "Yes, I will do this thing for you."

I am fully convinced that I know God because of the pleading prayers of my mother. I am indebted to her like nobody else. I am so thankful that God allowed her to see my life changed, and that she was able to witness my marriage to a man who loves God as much as she did. And I cannot wait to see her again. I will when I get to Heaven.

So I am writing this to you: the friend, the mother, the stepmother, the wife, the sister, the grandmother--you, the person who loves someone so deeply and yet is confounded with the agony of seeing that one you love slipping down a dark hole that leads to death. I am sorry that you are in this place. I will not tell you what you should have done. I can only offer you the story of my mother, a woman who stayed on her face and did not give up pleading for the ones she cherished. I know that all things can be used for His glory, even the impossible--especially the impossible.
Complete article:
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/home_school/1427746.html

[mama4ever]

Madre,

You don't know how much I needed that article. It has been a rough week. I know what it feels like to go to bed thinking that maybe tonight is the night I might get that phone call or knock at the door. Last Thrusday night I just thought I wouldn't make it another day with this kid. He has made some changes in his life. He has held a good job since the beginning of June. I thank God for that. He is trying hard, but I know in my heart he is always 1 night away from making a mess of his life. He's just so impulsive. He never thinks anything through. He is ADHD. His doctor says he has one of the worst cases of adult ADHD he has ever seen. Add to the mix a good night of binge drinking and wow!!!! What a mess he can make of his life. I know when he finally turns his life back over to the Lord, the Lord will give him the strength to get out the rut he is in. He now prays, but has not come to the place of surrender to the Lord. Until than my husband and I continue to stand in the gap for him.


Thank you so much for remembering me. It truly has lifted me up. To know God has placed me on someones heart is truly a blessing to me. It lets me know He has not forgotten me. Please if you have a moment to keep us in prayer in the next month or so. Some serious situtions might be in the mix and I just would like a break through.

Your sister in Christ,
Mary


[angelpink]

[Madre]

You blessed me, Mary! I will be praying. Remember, God has not left His throne. He has a way of finding His sheep and has not forgotten your son.

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

[mama4ever]

Thanks, I know it in my heart and sometimes I need to hear it from someone else! I got a lot of advice from a lot of well meaning people and when it didn't work the way they said it should. They didn't have the endurance to stand with me and my hubby. So we don't talk about our son with anyone anymore. God has shown me I need to start praising Him more. I think I have let go of that. The joy of the Lord. So I am working on that.


[angelpink]

[Madre]

It doesn't always work out like others think it should, does it? God isn't a genie in a bottle or if you follow the recipe, everything will turn out delicious and on time. If your son is God's, no one can pluck him out of His hand. I can understand you and your dh feeling like you need to bear this alone, but you're not really alone, thankfully. Plus there are so many testimonies of ones who were prodigals and infidels (by their own admission) and became servants of God. John Newton who wrote Amazing Grace was such a man. He turned from his mother's godly instruction and lived a wretched life until he was converted at sea. Remember, "the prayers of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much."

[Madre]

This exerpt is from an old book by Charles L. Allen called All Things Are Possible Through Prayer. One of the things that touched me was that the prodigal's father "maintained the home". The father remained faithful and the son knew where to go when he got hungry. I think it's so important that our children always know that their parents are remaining faithful to the Lord. Even though a child may wander, he needs to know that his parents are not wandering with him, that they are maintaining a godly home and a place of refuge.

God never lets us go.

Once there was a boy who again and again broke the laws of the land and would end up in jail. His father would go down to pay his fine and get him free. Finally it cost the father about all that he had and also his heart was almost broken. A friend said to the father, "If that were my boy, I would let him go." He replied, "If he were your boy, I would too, but he is my boy and I can't let him go." Well, God is your Father and, no matter what happens, He is ever seeking to bring you back unto Himself.

The true picture of God is the one Jesus gave us in the story of the Prodigal Son. When that boy wanted to leave home and get away from the authority of his father, he was free to go. As life went by for him, that boy had some blows in the face too, but his father didn't strike them. Life itself can be mighty cruel and hard and disappointing.

Neither did the father go after his boy and force him to return. Instead, the father maintained the home and one day that boy became hungry. Then he remembered his father and he came back. The father was there, with the door open, abundantly able to satisfy those hungers.

We sometimes talk about the "free will" God has given us, as if He has completely cut us loose from Himself. We are not so free. We do not have free will when it comes to eating or not eating. Our very hunger demands that we eat. And God built into us certain other hungers. It is possible to live away from God and never hunger for material things. But there comes a time when those material things do not satisfy. We have deeper soul hungers and those hungers are cords by which God has bound our soul.

God is patient and He can wait. But while He waits, the hungers of our soul keep us dissatisfied. We seek this and that, and rush hither and yon, but nothing we find in life supplies our deepest needs. Finally we turn to Him who said, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger..." (John 6:35). Yes, God never lets you go.

[love2bmom]

These are such great posts Madre..

I was a prodigal child & my Mom never stopped praying!

[Madre]

Praise the Lord for a faithful mom, Nici. I found a neat poem that you might appreciate:

Mother's Elbows On My Bed

I was but a youth and thoughtless,
As all youths are apt to be;
Though I had a Christian mother
Who had taught me carefully.
There came a time when pleasure
Of the world came to allure,
And I no more sought the guidance
Of her love so good and pure.
Her tender admonitions fell
But lightly on my ear,
And for the gentle warnings
I felt an inward sneer.
But mother would not yield her boy
To Satan's sinful sway,
And though I spurned her counsel
She knew a better way.
She made my room an altar,
A place of secret prayer,
And there she took her burden
And left it in His care.
And morning, noon and evening
By that humble bedside low,
She sought the aids of Him who
Understands a mother's woe.
And I went my way unheeding,
Careless of the life I led,
Until one day I noticed,
Prints of elbows on my bed.
Then I saw that she had been there
Praying for her wayward boy,
Who for love of worldly pleasure
Would her peace of mind destroy.
Long the conflict raged within me,
Sin against my mother's prayers,
Sin must yield - for Mother never-
While she daily met Him there.
And her constant love and patience
Were like coals upon my head,
Together with the imprints
Of her elbows on my bed.
And so at last the fight was won,
And I to Christ was led,
And mother's prayers were answered
By her elbows on my bed.

[love2bmom]

That is such the perfect poem - I am going to share that with my mom.

Thanks Madre!

[mama4ever]

Thanks Madre, you have been an [angel] sent to me!


[angelpink]

[luvmy4sons]

Mother's Elbows On My Bed



That was an awesome poem. Brought me to tears. Thanks madre. I don't really have reason to be perusing this particular forum...but I will surely be praying for those who do need it and praying, as that poem indicates, for my son's hearts to stay true to their Lord. :)

[Madre]

I don't know the author of the poem, but it's a jewel!

(P.S. Love you, Mama4ever! [hug] )

[Madre]

http://www.gotquestions.org/prodigal-son.html

What should Christian parents do if they have a prodigal son (or daughter)?



Notice that the parent of the parable does not stop this child from leaving. Nor does the parent follow after this child to try to protect them from themselves. The parent does not interfere with the choices or decisions that this child makes. Rather, this parent faithfully stays at home and prays and when that child "comes to" and turns around and heads back the parent is waiting and watching and sees that child even when they are a "great way" off and moves to meet them.

The principles then are these; when our sons and daughters go off on their own and make choices that we know will bring hard consequences, parents must let go and allow them to leave. The parent does not follow after and the parent does not interfere with the consequences that will come. Rather, the parent stays at home, keeps faithfully praying and watching for the signs of repentance and a change of direction. Until and unless that comes, the parent keeps their own counsel, does not underwrite the rebellion and does not become a busybody (1 Peter 4:15).

Once children are of an age of legal "adulthood." they are subject only to the authority of God and the delegated authority of government (Romans 13:1-7). As parents we can come alongside once our sons or daughters have made their move toward God. God uses self-inflicted misery and "child training" to bring every one to wisdom, and it is up to each individual to respond correctly. As parents we cannot save our children, only God can do that. In obedience we must give them nurture in the LORD when we are given that opportunity (Ephesians 6:4) and then allow them to make their own choices. Until then, we watch and pray and leave the matter in the hands of the LORD. This may be a painful process but one when done according to divine viewpoint will bring the reward of peace of heart. We cannot judge our children, only God can. In this there is a great comfort, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25b).

[mama4ever]

Madre,

Thanks once again for the info. I read the whole article and I actually have already read that book. It was a good one. You are a blessing. At this time we need special prayer for my son. You don't know how thankful I am for your support.


[angelpink]

[Madre]

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Ro. 15:13[heart]

[Madre]

That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape?

~ C. S. Lewis


GOD IS TENDER-just like the prodigal's father-only with this difference, that God has millions of prodigals, and never gets tired of going out to meet them and welcome them back, every one as if he were the only prodigal son He had ever had. There's a Father indeed!

~ George MacDonald

[luvmy4sons]

[quote]That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape?

~ C. S. Lewis


I liked this one. God is so awesome! nothing is too difficult for Him! :D

[Madre]

Matthew 18

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 15

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

[mama4ever]

Madre,

Sorry I didn't see this sooner I have not been on the site much lately. My daughter is getting ready to gratuate from 8th grade in June and they will have a dinner in June and a trip in two weeks to VA. which I am allowed to attend and it is 4 days long. Of course she out grew all her summer clothes from last year. We have been shopping.... I guess maybe it is her last growth spirt. She also is in her final year of missionettes they had a Father - Daughter Dinner friday night, which was hosted by our church and I was there from 1pm to 9pm on Friday. All on top of softball and thats just what I need to do for her!

Thank you for the encouragement. The scriptures in Matthew 18 and Luke 15 are the ones I use when people say to throw my son out. They say, God let the prodigal go. My response is, God let the proidigal go because, it was the prodigal's choice. Then these scriptures clearly show that Jesus would follow when they choose to leave. Sometimes I know it is not a physical chasing but a chasing in prayer and faith in the God we serve. There have been times when we asked him to leave if he could not follow the rules and there was a few times my husband told him to leave because his actions were to much to expose our younger two to. Our daughter is 14 and our younger son is now 10. We felt his actions were over the line for the other kids. We have seen some growth and some maturing in the last couple of months. I know in my heart that until he serves the Lord, he will not be where he needs to be and be able to stop all the foolishness he does.

Even though he is doing better, he always seems to be one night away from disaster. So even though he is trying, he has thousands in fines hanging over his head. Some extra prayer at this time would be appriciated. You always seem to know when I need a little spiritual boost.

Thanks again Madre.


Your sister in Christ,
Mary

[angelpink]

[Madre]

The 'Son of so Many Tears': A Christian Mother's Story

Chuck Colson

Her name was Monica. A Christian, she was married to a prominent man who wasn't a believer. He was unfaithful and even beat her at times. Monica's response was to go to church every day and pray for his conversion. She hoped that by setting a godly example, even in the midst of her mistreatment, she might win him over. And that's exactly what happened.

The suffering and anguish caused by her husband paled before what Monica's oldest son put her through. He lived a dissolute life, devoted to pleasure. He left one mistress and took up with another. His only son was born out-of-wedlock.

His lack of faith and rejection of Christian truth hurt Monica even more. He belittled her beliefs and seemed to go out of his way to embrace Christianity's competitors for the hearts and, especially, minds of his contemporaries. He later recalled how his being "dead [to] that faith and spirit which," as he put it, "[my mother] had from you... O, Lord" made her weep.

Still, Monica never gave up. The greatest preacher of the time, knowing of her prayers and tears for her son, told her that "it is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish."
Monica could not have known that her prayers and devotion would affect not only the life of her son but also the course of history. Her concern was that her son believe "the truth which is in Jesus."

This devotion to the spiritual welfare of her son is why Monica is regarded as the model for all Christian mothers. Like Susannah Wesley, her zeal for the salvation of her son had an impact far beyond anything she could have imagined.
Entire article:

http://www.crosswalk.com/11540219/

[Madre]

Another great evangelist and author, R.A. Torrey, tells of the impact of his mother's prayers when he was "about as near eternal ****ation as anyone gets. I had one foot over the brink and was trying to get the other one over." He wasn't seeking God, wasn't in church or Sunday school (which should encourage those of us whose kids aren't attending youth group!), and didn't have the slightest thought of being converted.

Torrey was awakened in the middle of the night one night and was converted to Christ within five minutes. "I thought no human being had anything to do with it, but I had forgotten my mother's prayers....There are few converted in this world in any other way than in connection with someone's prayers," Torrey concludes.

from How to Pray by R.A. Torrey
featured in When Mothers Pray by Cheri Fuller

[mama4ever]

I just saw this last post. I have not been on the site for a while, a long while. I have been very busy. My son got a DUI in June. I am the TAXI cab, only back and forth to work. For him and his girlfriend. She just got a car on Saturday, so now I will have some free time. We have switched churches in the last month and I am now homeschooling my daughter high school!!!! My youngest is still in a christian school. Life seems a little back to normal. Anyway as always thanks for thinking and praying for me and my prodigal.


Mary

[Madre]

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MostPopular/2168_12_Ways_to_Love_Your_Wayward_Child/


12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child

by Abraham Piper

Many parents are brokenhearted and completely baffled by their unbelieving son or daughter. They have no clue why the child they raised well is making such awful, destructive decisions. I’ve never been one of these parents, but I have been one of these sons. Reflecting back on that experience, I offer these suggestions to help you reach out to your wayward child.

[Madre]

Miracles Rooted in Unbelief

http://www.abidinglife.com/site/library/articles/75.shtml



It is interesting that in today's Christianity calling on Jesus and forcing a miracle is proof of spirituality, but the opposite is true. You have a rebellious child. You are in a storm and you have a choice. Call on Jesus to stop it or lie down next to Him and rest. I know which one you will do!

The second thought was this. We have prayed to share in the power of the resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings and to be like Him in His death. What is the fellowship of His sufferings? It is many things.

However, there is one thing that it must certainly be. If we are parents, we must have a child that refuses Him. That was His greatest suffering. All the created children of God, every one, to the last man, refused Him. We must share in it. We begin to see just how deeply He suffered. We begin to understand the gospel. We will share in all things, suffering, death, and the power. Suffering comes before the power. We don't like what is happening, but we refuse to be taken out of it.

We must refuse to ask Him to quiet the storm before the storm has perfected us.

[luvmy4sons]

However, there is one thing that it must certainly be. If we are parents, we must have a child that refuses Him. That was His greatest suffering. All the created children of God, every one, to the last man, refused Him. We must share in it. We begin to see just how deeply He suffered. We begin to understand the gospel. We will share in all things, suffering, death, and the power. Suffering comes before the power. We don't like what is happening, but we refuse to be taken out of it.

We must refuse to ask Him to quiet the storm before the storm has perfected us.


Wow. I have never even thought of it that way. It is still my prayer that I NOT share in His suffering that way, but I will trust that God's plan for me is good acceptable and perfect should it ever come to pass. It is very hard to not ask for the storm to pass quickly, is it not? I often ask for the suffering to do its work, but I find it hard to NOT pray for it to pass. The flesh is weak.

Thanks for that perspective Madre.

[mama4ever]

Havn't been on the site in a while. Madre you have posted some good stuff. You always have some great stuff to encourage me. I'm homeschooling my daughter high school and I don't seem to have the time to be on the computer that I had before. My son is doing better in alot of ways, but he is still drinking to much. He is working and likes his job. So that is good. He told my husband he is trying to pray a little more. We just left our church and started to attend another one. Pray that we are where the Lord wants us.


Mary

[Madre]

It's good to see you, Mary!:D New changes in your life right now, eh? I'm also glad to hear about your son.


A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. (Isa 42:3)