Why Keep Praying?

Billy and Ruth Graham once had a prodigal son named Franklin. He lived a rebellious life, but his parents never gave up on him. They just kept praying, and ultimately, Franklin came back to the Lord. Today, he’s someone whom God is using powerfully.

What an example for us to keep praying for our children and not give up on them. Of course, the Devil will whisper in your ear and tell you that it’s too late for your kids, and they’ll never change. But don’t listen to him. He’s a liar and the father of lies (see John 8:44).

If you have a son or daughter who has taken a prodigal turn, don’t give up on your child. Both of my sons were prodigals for a time, but they returned to the Lord. So keep praying, because your child isn’t beyond God’s reach. And by the way, you’re praying according to the will of God when you’re praying for someone to come back to the Lord. So keep praying.

In fact, Luke 18:1 tells us that “Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up” (NLT).

On the other hand, if you’re the prodigal child, I want you to know that you’re breaking your parents’ hearts. Whatever you’re chasing after isn’t going to satisfy you, and eventually you’ll come to the end of it. But I hope that you don’t come to the end of it at the end of your years and, as a result, throw your life away. You need to come back to the Lord.

The Bible tells us that God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV). It’s the heart of God to see people come to Him—or come back to Him.