The Prayer Request

I was sitting in church one Sunday, not too long ago, and as we were talking about redemption, I thought of my youngest son. About 4 years ago, we had put him on the prayer list because life was very, very rough for him, really for our whole family.  We didn’t really think any of us would make it through this.  In fact, many times, we cried out in anger at God saying “we didn’t sign up for this”. That anger, though, was always met with grace, love and mercy on us. We got through those moments, one day at a time. 

The prayer request was simply this, "Pray for Steven for continued healing”.  Four years after sending in that prayer request, we are starting to see the fruit of prayer. Steven is becoming a new person. He made a decision in the Fall of 2014 that he would never do what he had done again. He had a few setbacks, one that cost him the privilege of living at home this past Fall of 2015, but he stepped up even more when that happened and has now been living on his own for 6 months in a transitional housing situation looking for a job and then he will have permanent housing. He is graduating this weekend from a job readiness program that has helped him blossom and bloom even more in just over a 4 week period. He has found an extraordinary therapist and they have been working together on the future while healing from the past. He has made great strides in healing from his very tumultuous past and we are thankful for that.  My husband and I actually see that he m be able to do things that he wants as an adult that we didn't think possible several years ago. There is more hope than ever before.
 

I sat staring at the prayer list with that prayer request on it and I started to cry. God is in the business of redemption and restoration. He heard the prayers of His people. There have been people along the way that have prayed, fasted, come and anointed our home with oil, pleaded to God on his behalf and grieved with us. Isn’t it amazing what a simple line of a prayer request, written down 4 years ago, can do? 

I am grateful for the fellowship of the believers both in our local church and the bigger body that know that prayer does change people, situations and our hearts. I am also, on this eve of him completing something new, more hopeful than I have ever been before. I know that there will probably be moments ahead that are rough and bumpy but I know that based on what I have seen lately, there will be less bumps than before and more joy! I believe that. I still keep him close in prayers but this momma can let him go a little bit more today.  

There is a prayer that I have specifically prayed for Steven over the years. It is from the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament.  It reminds me of the very hard life that was imposed on him when he was young and what the Lord has done and is doing now and will do.

"..... I will give you back your health and heal your wounds," says the LORD. " 
Jeremiah 30:16-17

Then I found these over the years too. They talk of hope.

Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Jeremiah 15:19

The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts”.  Joel 2:25 

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory”. Isaiah 61:3 

I am seeing redemption and restoration right before my eyes in this son of mine. I am joyful as I think about his future and the hope that comes with a relationship with Christ. My son is being an Overcomer and though God is not finished, He has given us a gift of seeing a greater glimpse of what he can be as he is restored each day to who God intended him to be. The clouds of the past are being removed and the sun is shining more clearly now.

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Son, I know you will read this. I want you to know that we know you have had extra challenges along the road of your life, some that were imposed on you, some you chose. But God is faithful and the more that you choose to stay close to Him, no matter what the challenges, He will guide you and show you the way. 

"Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.  Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:20-21

This is my new prayer for you, Steven. I will probably be praying this one for the rest of my life for you! Your dad and I love you, we cherish you and know God can do great things in you and that you can honor Him in all you do!

Love, Mom