jill Herringshaw adds this next post in her series on prayer for “lost sheep…”

Luke 15:8-10 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

We’ve been sitting with the Father, joining Him in His watch. He’s watching and waiting for His prodigals. His eyes scan the horizon just waiting for the first glimpse of His beloved’s return. We are joining Him and praying. He tells us that our prayers are the force necessary to change the hearts of His children. He’s confident that our prayers will avail – so confident that he’s fattening up some of his livestock to prepare for the pending celebrations. He is full of faith.

So, we continue to pray.

I speak to the minds and wills of prodigals and say, “Reject perverse ideas! Stay away from every evil in the Name of Jesus Christ.”

I command doors to open that would bring godly influences into their lives. I slam shut every door of evil influence in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

I take up the call to ferret out the wicked and free Your child from the grip of evil. I call down the powers of addiction in Jesus’ Mighty Name. You must go now. I bind the spirit of pride and arrogance. You must leave in Jesus’ Name.

I ask You, Father, to remove the film over the eyes of the deceived. I apply the Blood of Jesus to these eyes and cry out for mercy. I cry out for justice. I cry out for repentance and returning. May these beloved prodigals once again believe the good news – the good news that You are loving, forgiving, and just waiting to celebrate their return.

Amen

After I prayed this this morning, I looked back at the tree where the Father was waiting, and He was not there, just a few apple cores and a dove. There is a note simply saying, “Be back tomorrow.” He loves it when we wait with Him.

“Okay, Father. See you then.”

In the distance I could hear someone whistling a tune… “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling…”