Parenting When Adult Children Wander video series

A Prayer for You and Your Child

In this concluding video, Jennifer Antonsen encourages you to identify at least one helpful change to make as you parent your wandering child. Then, she concludes with a prayer for your child.

Get more out of this series!

After watching video six, consider taking these steps to get the most out of this part of the series:  

// Step 1

Read and meditate on this Scripture verse: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save . . .” (Zephaniah 3:17a). 

// Step 2

Answer these discussion questions:

1. 1. Does your child still believe that they are loved by God, despite their present struggle? 
   2. How could you reassure your child that God has not given up on them or abandoned them? 
   3. How could you reassure your child that you will always love them and be a safe place for them, whenever they need you? 

// Step 3

Spend time in prayer:

Father God, 
Amidst everything that’s happening in our child’s life, what matters most is that he/she finds a new and vibrant love for you, for everything else flows from that.
Right now our child doesn’t recognize you as you really are. But we ask that this season in our child’s life not be wasted. 
May our son/daughter come to see that you are unfailingly loving, patient and above reproach in the way that you deal with us.
May your love and wisdom astonish them, humble them and kindle in them a fierce love for you.
And may this season not be wasted in our lives either.
We commit to trusting you, pursuing you more closely, and cooperating with you as you teach us how to show love and grace to our child.
Please work powerfully in us and in our son/daughter.
Amen.

// Step 4

Read the article “Remembering your other children while parenting a prodigal” for some wise words from Jim Putnam based on his experience with his teens.

// Step 5

Listen to the Focus on the Family broadcast “Offering God’s Hope to Families With Prodigals” where Jim Putman, speaking alongside his dad, Bill, shares the dramatic story of how his dad won him back to Christ, and how Jim himself later faced wrenching decisions as he dealt with his own drug-addicted son.

// Step 6

Visit our series page “Parenting young adults” to find more articles and broadcasts on reaching prodigal children. Our other series pages on homosexuality and addiction may also be helpful.