Prayer can bring the prodigals home

Prayer

can bring the prodigals home

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Religion Columnist

Do you know

a prodigal? A son? A daughter? A spouse?

A prodigal

has abandoned his upbringing. He may have left his family

physically. He may have left his parent's teaching and

standard of conduct while still living at home. Your

house may be just a shower and dressing room for him.

You've

tried to reason with him or her. You've asked other

family members to say something to him. You have tried

the strong arm approach. You've tried backing off. You've

accused yourself countless times. You've tried acting

like it doesn't bother you and yet it's eating your heart

out.

I don't

have any problem believing that prodigals are the devil's

treasure. Not only does the evil jerk have his claws on

our precious loved ones, but he's also stolen the joy and

peace of the prodigal's parents.

All that to

give you good news: Fayette/Clayton area churches have

called a Prayer Meeting for Prodigals. Thursday, Dec. 2,

7 p.m. at the Fayetteville Church of God, indeed one of

the most conveniently located churches on the south side

(at intersection of Georgia 85 and 92 South-across

from the new south side Eckerd's and Kroger in

Fayetteville).

Please help

us get the word out that there is another approach to

bringing prodigals home-physically, emotionally,

spiritually. It's prayer.

But, what I

know about prayer says that prayer's power emerges from

faith. Jesus would instruct his disciples that without

faith they could not pray for big results. Without faith,

the Bible says it's impossible to please God. Ask any

parents if bringing their prodigal home is not a big

thing!

So,

planning to attend and actually attending the Prayer

Meeting for Prodigals constitutes a step of faith. In

addition, there's sacramental power in a large assembly

of God's people. No telling what God will do in the

hearts of Prodigals when parents come to pray (and not

even out loud if uncomfortable with that way).

The Prayer

Meeting for Prodigals will be simple: little singing, no

preaching. But a lot of God's promises and a lot of

believing prayer for you and your prodigal.

Please

spread the news about this prayer meeting as we move into

the Christmas Season. The pain of children not walking

with parents becomes particularly painful at Christmas.

There is home. There is prayer.

Tell your

friends about the prayer meeting. I really believe God

wants to give many parents the best gift ever: "My

son, my daughter has come to his senses, to her senses

and has come home with a new attitude, new obedience, and

new joy."

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.

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