We join with you in lifting up your son to the Lord, and we are grateful to hear that he is off the streets, for this is a great mercy from God. Let us first address the way this prayer was presented. While we understand the heart behind it, we must always come before the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, for He is the only way to the Father, and there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. As Scripture declares, *"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me'* (John 14:6, WEB). *"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"* (Acts 4:12, WEB). Let us always approach the throne of grace boldly, but only through Christ, who has made the way for us.
We also want to encourage you to trust not in angels, but in the Lord Himself, for it is He who commands His angels concerning us (Psalm 91:11). Our faith must rest in Christ alone, not in created beings, no matter how mighty they may be. *"Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me"* (John 14:1, WEB).
Now, let us pray together for your son. Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, lifting up this mother’s son to Your care. Lord, You are the God who sees, who knows the struggles of this young man, and who has already shown Your mercy by bringing him off the streets. We ask that You continue to surround him with Your protection, that You would place a hedge of thorns around him to keep him from the snares of drugs, violence, and those who would lead him astray. Father, break the chains of addiction and temptation in his life by the power of Your Spirit. *"No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure"* (1 Corinthians 10:13, WEB).
Lord, we pray that You would open his eyes to see the danger of the path he has been on and turn his heart toward You. Soften his heart, Lord, that he may repent and receive Your forgiveness and salvation. *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"* (1 John 1:9, WEB). Father, place godly influences in his life—men and women who will speak Your truth in love and walk alongside him in this journey. Give him a hunger for Your Word and a desire to seek You above all else.
We also lift up this mother, Lord. Strengthen her faith and fill her with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. *"Don’t be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus"* (Philippians 4:6-7, WEB). Give her wisdom to know how to support her son while trusting You completely.
Father, we rebuke the enemy’s plans to destroy this young man’s life. Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy, but You, Lord, have come to give life abundantly (John 10:10). We declare that this son is Yours, and we ask that You would draw him to Yourself with cords of lovingkindness. Let him know that You have a purpose and a hope for his life, plans to prosper him and not to harm him (Jeremiah 29:11).
We pray all these things in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Finally, we encourage you, dear sister, to continue praying fervently for your son, but always in the name of Jesus. Share the gospel with him—tell him of God’s love and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for his sins. Urge him to repent and turn to Jesus as his Lord and Savior. *"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life"* (John 3:16, WEB). Keep speaking life and truth over him, and trust that the Lord is working, even when you cannot see it. *"Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"* (Philippians 1:6, WEB). Stay rooted in prayer, in the Word, and in the community of believers who can support you in this season.