Are you a parent who is struggling with the challenges of seeing your adult children caught up in destructive habits and behaviors? As a parent, you want nothing more than to see them thrive and be blessed. But what can you do when the enemy entices them away and keeps them under the influence of harmful habits and ways—such as anger, alcoholism, or drug addiction—even after they’ve been set free?
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Hope for Parents of Adult Children
Today, I want to offer you hope and share a powerful prayer. Let’s start with hope. During a recent morning walk, I felt led to pray that God would arrest our young adults with the love of Jesus.
This brought to mind the story of Saul of Tarsus, who vehemently opposed Christians in the early church. He persecuted men and women, arresting them and throwing them in prison. However, Jesus intervened and arrested Saul with His love.
One day, while Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, a bright light shone around him, and he fell down. Jesus asked him, ‘Why are you persecuting me?’ Saul, now blinded, was led away by his friends. This encounter transformed Saul’s life. He later regained his sight, and his name was changed to Paul. You can read this powerful story in Acts 9:1-6 and Acts 22.
Paul, once a destructive and unruly young man, went on to do remarkable things for the kingdom of God. He became an apostle of the gospel, spreading the good news of Jesus to many. He wrote about half of the New Testament in the Bible. God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul.
The Lord showed me that He wants to align the steps of our adult children with His own and that we should pray this prayer for them: ‘Lord, arrest my adult son or daughter with the love of Jesus.’
I have prayed this prayer before for problematic people and relationships in my life. But I’ve come to understand that God doesn’t just want to arrest them; He wants to arrest them with the love of Jesus so they can walk in sync with God’s purpose for their lives. I can testify that this prayer works because it is aligned with God’s word (John 17:15). Jesus prayed for his disciples to be protected from the Evil One. I have seen God answer this prayer and miraculously turn around hearts that were bent on evil and destruction.
Now can you imagine your adult son or daughter walking in the love of Jesus and fulfilling their purpose and destiny?
If you have an adult child who is wayward, captured by evil influences, or stuck in destructive behaviors, don’t give up. You may not be able to fix them, but you can intercede on their behalf. According to Isaiah 62:6, you are a prayer warrior and a watchwoman on the wall for your family.
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent. Isaiah 62: 6
As a watchwoman, you partner with God for your adult children and your entire family. Pray continuously and fervently for them. Don’t give up because God can arrest them with the love of Jesus at the right time and turn their hearts and situations around. When Saul was persecuting the early church, the situation seemed impossible.
Keep your hope alive and believe that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Declare His victory over your adult children in Jesus’ name, and stand in that victory!
Powerful Prayer for Adult Children
Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, I pray that my adult children who are caught up in destructive habits and behaviors will receive a divine revelation of who You are. I ask You, Lord, to arrest them with the love of Jesus, just as You arrested Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Shut every door of evil in their lives and align their steps with Your purpose. May they hear Your voice calling them out of darkness into the light of Jesus, and may their response be ‘Yes, Lord.’ May they yield and surrender to Your will and ways that lead to eternal life.
Lord, as mothers, our heart’s cry for our adult sons and daughters is captured by the lyrics of this song:
‘Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, and live.
Weak and wounded sinner lost and left to die,
Raise your head, for love is passing by.
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, and live.’
We pray with thanksgiving for the answers to come in the matchless and majestic name of Jesus. Amen.
PS: If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. You are not alone in this parenting journey. Find comfort and guidance today, Book Your Free 1:1 Listening Session.
You may be interested in Renew Your Vision, Renew Your Life to Live More Fully.
Weathering Storms: Finding Treasures in the Ruins is a powerful book full of encouragement and hope for those facing the storms of life. It’s available on Amazon and other book retailers.
