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Intention

To pray for the lost prodigals to come home.

Scripture

“There once was a shepherd with 100 lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So, the shepherd left the 99 lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb.

He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy, he raised it up, placed it on his shoulders, and carried it back with cheerful delight!

Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbours together and said, ‘Let’s have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb. It wandered away, but I have found it and brought it home.’”

– Luke 15:4–7 (TPT)

Reflection

We were all lost at some point, separated from our beloved Father God. Spiritually orphaned.

But we were called out of darkness into His glorious light. We were saved through the perfect work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross.

This Go Month we are praying for many souls to be saved!

But my heart also goes out to those we call prodigals. We all know or have them in our family or circle of friends. Sons and daughters raised in our homes, each on a path we pray will lead back to Him. And how we pray!

Chuck Girard once said, “Don’t shoot the wounded. They need us more than ever”.

In the hardness of our hearts, or a religious spirit, it’s easy to discount their wandering as a lack of faith or a false salvation. Or, dare I say it, unworthiness.

I believe many who have wandered from the institutional church walked away with heavy hearts. They were hurt or neglected by the system run by imperfect human beings, imperfect like you and I.

Coming from personal experience, our ‘sabbatical’ occurred when a paedophile infiltrated our home group. When we asked the leadership for help, well, it didn’t go well.

Did we lose our faith in God? As James Bond used to say of his martini, “Shaken, not stirred”.

It’s my humble opinion that the body of Christ has had many wonderful people’s ministries and contributions sabotaged by the work of the enemy. They may still have faith in Jesus – but not in man. Their faith could be a mere glimmer of light, needing the gentle fanning of the embers to bring forth the flame they once knew!

Can we commit to encouraging those we know who have fallen away? And with a hand offered in God’s love, help them up once more? This is no time for stray sheep to wander the hills all alone!

Perhaps we have seen a puppy who has been abused. It takes a lot of work to get them to trust and love again. Remembering this can be key to loving restoration.

We may find that prayer and love will unlock the heart barred, shut for years. Others will be so glad that you cared enough to reach out, they will literally jump into your arms in gratitude, restoration swift and sweet! Everyone will be different.

When a person walks away from fellowship, one of the most egregious wounds will be from the experience of being ‘shunned’. Often our churches allow people to drift and slip away, without any effort made of restoration. People are scared to get involved and risk the ire of leadership. How sad!

Some dear ones may never enter the walls of a church building again. Thank God for home churches and online Zoom meetings! Coffee and prayer! Be flexible and patient.

HE is.

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Prayer

Father, Your love and faithfulness is our firm anchor. Show us how to love as You love, to forgive as You forgive, and to remember the words often quoted, “There but for the grace of God, go I.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Author Bio

Leonie and her husband Ivan are songwriters, worship leaders, parents and grandparents. They have operated in lay ministry in cross-denominational settings for many years. Leonie writes poetry and lyrics and is an artist of great repute (according to her granddaughter, at least!). Both Leonie and her husband take a great interest in history, current events and politics.

Prayer Points and Purpose for GO Month 2024

1. To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. 1 Chron 16:23–31.
2. To pray for revival, repentance and deliverance for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Acts 2:1–41.
3. To pray for five people by name to find Christ and share the gospel with those five in May. Matt 28:18–20.

We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ His Son.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night in May

TIME: 8 PM (AEST); 7:30 PM (ACST); 6 PM (AWST)

ZOOM URL LINK: https://zoom.us/j/776881184

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

View GO Month 2024 devotionals on the Daily Declaration website.

Photo by Kat Smith.