I have a bit of an obsession with prodigals. I pray for a bunch of them every week. I find it curious the pictures I see as I pray for them. Last week when I was praying through my list, this is what I saw. It encouraged my heart, and perhaps yours as well if you love a prodigal or two.
Once again, I was reading and reflecting on the 23rd Psalm. I quote this Psalm probably once every night. If I struggle to sleep, which is often, this is my go-to Psalm. As I prayed, thinking about one particular prodigal, I could see them.
They are definitely not living for God. If you imagine with me a huge, lush pasture. I am hanging out with the “fold”, and I suspect you are as well! The Good Shepherd is very nearby. He is always watching these prodigals, and listening for his sheep just in case they call. He is a very busy Shepherd, very capable, and not given to panic.
Then there are these prodigals- you would assume they are, for sure, in the pasture with all the dead grass on the other side of the fence, doing their own thing and completely ignoring the Shephard. Well, they are ignoring the Shepherd. They are rubbing up against the fencing all around the Shepherd’s lush pasture but they are on this side of the fence, not the other. Whether they like it or not, these sheep were dedicated to the Good Shepherd at birth, and He considers each one His very own. They are His and they are in His fold.
Regardless, these prodigals stick their head through the fence and choose to chew on the dead grass on the other side of the fence. They are never out of reach of the Shepherds staff. In fact, it seems to me, that staff seems magical, as it looks like grows whenever He wants it to. He is watching for the ones caught in the thicket, he is never turned off by how dirty their coat has become. He is only loving and longing to save them and set them free.
Some of the prodigals I pray for were never raised in the church, but their parents came to Christ later in life; everyone has a story. As I was praying for one young man, I could see him. Not on the lush pasture rubbing against the fence- but my goodness, so close to it. Well within the view of the Good Shepherd who is eager to rescue them as soon as they turn and call to him.
I am simply reminded of one of my favorite verses in Scripture: Isaiah 59:1 “ Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”
Never give up praying. No one is too far or too hardened. God is strong enough and loves all the sheep, in His pasture and beyond.