Hear Joni share a story of a friend’s son that was lost and then found. The return of that prodigal is still, after more than a decade, producing a flow of gratitude and a never-ending flow of praise to God.
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If you’re praying for a prodigal child, I have got encouragement for you.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. And my dear friend Rainey and I have worked together with our Joni and Friends radio ministry for more than 2 decades. Currently, she’s cataloging my radio programs, going all the way back to 1982 [I can’t believe that God has allowed me to be on this program that long, praise the Lord]! But I’m getting off point. You see, Rainey and her husband raised three wonderful children on the mission field, and all of them came to know Christ. Living overseas for a while, Rainey’s kids understood how the Gospel could change lives. And after the family returned to the states, all 3 grew leaps and bounds in their faith. Time passed and the oldest, eventually married; those two are now happily invested in missionary service in Africa. Rainey’s youngest grew to be a lovely young woman who is now married to a pastor and her congregation adores her. But her middle son – well, he took a different route. Poor choices, selfish decisions, and this young man jokingly calls himself the “black sheep.” Sin deceived him and he wandered away, way out into enemy territory. Rainey and her husband grieved; but they also prayed.
And I know she prayed hard because almost every time Rainey drove me to the office of Joni and Friends, we both lifted up her middle son in prayer right there in the van – specific, earnest, persevering prayer while we drove in the van to and from work. And why not? Jesus tells us all in Luke 18 to pray without ceasing, to pray at all times, and then he adds, “Do not lose heart.” And Rainey and her husband never lost heart as it concerned their prodigal son. She found reassurance in Jeremiah 31:16 where God says “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, says the Lord. And your children will return from the enemy’s land.” This went on for a number of years; this sort of praying. Not just praying in my van, but Rainey prayed with everyone and anyone who would join their heart with hers. Handholding prayer, vocal, earnest prayer, calling out, crying prayer. And my friend, Rainey – did not lose heart. She believed God would bring in that prodigal of hers, bring in that lost sheep, sweep up that lost coin – and God did.
And now, if you met that middle son, you’d be amazed. He came back to Christ, repented of his wayward life, married the girl he was with, and is now serving in his church. Both of them are serving. Every once in a while, Rainey and I talk about his transformation and her answered prayers. The return of her prodigal is still, after more than a decade, it is still producing a flow of gratitude and a flow of praise to God, never-ending, always fresh. And don’t you love that? Her prayer didn’t stop once her prodigal son returned. Her prayer now is a reason to bring constant praise to God. Wow!
In fact, if you have been praying for a prodigal in your life, lost to today’s culture, I hope Rainey’s story encourages you. Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 18: Pray at all times don’t lose heart. And there are more words of hope in my gift to you today. A beautiful 12-page pamphlet on the parable of the prodigal son; ask for your free copy today. Just go to joniradio.org and order this encouraging booklet. It’s free, so ask for yours today at joniradio.org. And if you know a parent who is praying for a prodigal, then get this gift for them. “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” at joniradio.org.
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