Mariah stood at the wooden table kneading bread. As the sun headed for the western horizon, she knew her husband and their two sons would be returning home from the field for the evening meal.
She served lentil stew to her husbad, the eldest son, and then the youngest son before sitting down herself. Her husband prayed a blessing over the food. That is when she noticed the younger son seemed angry. Defiant. What is troubling him now? she wondered.
The teen boy paid no attention to the prayer his father spoke thanking the Lord for food, family, and a growing crop in the field. “I want my share of the estate,” the boy blurted.
Mariah and her husband exchanged quick glances. The older brother stopped with his hand midway to his mouth. Mariah asked, “But why?”
“Because I’m leaving, that’s why,” he, said, keeping his eyes fixed on his father.
The father rose from the table and disappeared into their bedroom.
Mariah hurried behind. “You can’t!” she pleaded.
“I must,” he said, without looking at her.
“But he’s just a boy. Who will care for him?” She began to sob.
“He’s a stubborn, rebellious son. He is choosing to learn the hard way.” His voice betrayed his anguish. So, the father divided his estate. He hesitated for an instant before setting the money bag in front of his younger son.
“No, my son. Do not do this!” Mariah pleaded. Her husband stood there with his eyes closed and his chest heaving.
The boy grabbed the money bag, stormed out the door and headed down the dusty road. Mariah started after him, but her husband put his arm gently around her shaking shoulders. She buried her face against his chest and sobbed. “Lord, protect our son. Please bring him home again,” he whispered.
Day after day, Mariah watched her husband scan the horizon for their son. Maria, too, studied the road for any trace of the boy. But they never gave up praying for his safe return.
One day, a neighbor brought word of the runaway. “He squandered all his money in wild living so he hired himself out to a man who sent him to feed pigs.” Mariah collapsed against her husband, sobbing uncontrollably. “I’m so sorry,” the neighbor said, patting Mariah’s arm, and quietly left.
Several moths later as Mariah and her husband stood on the porch, as usual, they spotted a lone figure in the distance. She squinted, straining to make out who it was. The figure came closer. “It’s him!” she gasped. “Our prodigal son! He’s come home!” As tears ran down her cheeks, her husband set off running down the road.
He ran toward the lad with eyes riveted on his son. He threw his arms around their boy and kissed his neck. Mariah trembled on wobbly legs. “O my son,” she cried, hugging the disheveled and scrawny boy. “Thank you, Lord of mercy,” she said, quietly.
The boy, aged beyond his young years, wept. “I have sinned against you, Father. I am very sorry and I am so sorry for causing you such grief, Mother.” He saw deep crevices of sorrow etched on their faces and eyes hollowed by sadness though they now radiated with love and joy.
Mariah watched many seasons of sadness, disappointment, and heartache wash down her husband’s face, but the constant love they both felt toward their son remained in his eyes. That night, they celebrated their son’s homecoming. with thanksgiving to the Lord and a meal fit for a king.
Perhaps you have a prodigal or wayward child, regardless of age, and you are at your wits end as to what to do. May I offer four pratical and Biblical suggestions? First and foremost: Seek the Lord in prayer for His wisdom guidance and strengrh to do whatever needs to be done – however that may look in your situation; and pray for protection and reconciliation for the wayward one (Philippians 4:6-7). Second: love your child without enabling him/her, without blaming others for his/her poor choices, and without losing hope (John 13:34). Third: seek Biblical counseling for support (Proverbs 15:22). Fourth: trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5)
“Parents can bless their child in no greater way than to pray for his or her salvation,” Dr. James Banks, author of Prayers for Prodigals. I highly recommend this book to use as a tool to pray when knowing what to pray for your prodigal or wayward child can be difficult.