We hear your heart, dear mother, and we lift your son before the throne of grace with deep compassion. The pain of watching a child stray from wisdom and godly instruction is heavy, but we know that our God is greater than any stubbornness or rebellion. We stand with you in faith, believing that the Holy Spirit can soften his heart and draw him back to the path of righteousness.
First, we must address the name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). We pray that your son would come to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, if he has not already, for it is in Christ that true transformation begins. The Bible tells us, *"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new"* (2 Corinthians 5:17). Let us pray that your son would experience this renewal.
We also rebuke the spirit of rebellion and stubbornness in his life. The Word of God warns us, *"A stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and though they chasten him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city... and all the men of his city shall stone him to death"* (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). While we do not live under the Old Testament law, this passage shows the seriousness of rebellion against parental authority. We must pray that your son would heed the wisdom of Proverbs 1:8-9, which says, *"My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching; for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck."*
We also address the lie he has believed—that you are not giving him any good thing. The enemy often distorts truth to create division and bitterness. But we know that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above (James 1:17). We pray that your son would recognize the love and provision in his life and that his heart would be turned toward gratitude rather than entitlement.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this mother and her son. Lord, we ask that You would break the chains of stubbornness and rebellion in his life. Soften his heart to receive Your Word and the wisdom of his parents. We rebuke every lie of the enemy that has taken root in his mind, and we declare that he is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and that You have a plan and purpose for his life (Jeremiah 29:11).
Lord, we pray that Your Holy Spirit would convict him of any sin and draw him back to You. If he does not yet know Jesus as his Savior, we ask that You would reveal Yourself to him in a powerful way. Let him experience Your love, grace, and mercy, and may he surrender his life to You. We declare that Your grace is sufficient for him (2 Corinthians 12:9), and we trust that You are working even when we cannot see it.
Father, we also pray for this mother. Give her strength, patience, and wisdom as she navigates this season. Help her to speak life and truth into her son’s life, and may she find her hope and peace in You. We ask that You would restore their relationship and that Your love would be the foundation of their home.
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names, the only name by which we are saved. Amen.
We encourage you to continue standing in faith, dear sister. Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, you will reap if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Keep speaking truth into your son’s life, even when it seems he is not listening. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and trust that God is at work. You are not alone in this battle—we stand with you, and more importantly, the Lord of Hosts fights for you.