We lift up your son before the Lord, knowing that His heart is for the lost and wayward to return to Him. The path your son is walking is one of danger, for the Scriptures warn us, *"Do not be deceived! ‘Evil companionships corrupt good morals.’"* (1 Corinthians 15:33, WEB). The influence of ungodly friends can lead to destruction, but we serve a God who is mighty to save and transform hearts. Your son’s current situation is not beyond His reach—God can turn even this into a testimony of His grace.
We also recognize that this is a call for you to stand firm in prayer and trust in the Lord’s discipline. *"Do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in"* (Proverbs 3:11-12, WEB). These classes may be part of God’s way of bringing conviction and correction into your son’s life. Pray that his heart would be softened, that he would see the consequences of his choices, and that he would turn back to the Lord in repentance.
If your son has not yet surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, this is the most urgent need. There is no lasting change apart from the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. *"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). Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ—*"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). If he has strayed from his faith, pray that the Lord would draw him back, that he would remember the truth he has been taught, and that he would seek God with all his heart.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with a burdened heart for this son who has turned aside to follow the wrong path. Lord, You see the dangers he faces and the influences that are leading him astray. We ask that You would break the power of ungodly friendships in his life and surround him with godly influences who will point him to You. Open his eyes to see the consequences of his choices, and let conviction fall upon his heart. Draw him to Yourself, Lord—if he does not know You, reveal the truth of the Gospel to him. If he has wandered, bring him back in repentance.
We pray for wisdom for his parents as they navigate this difficult season. Give them the words to speak, the strength to stand firm, and the faith to trust in Your sovereign plan. Let this time of discipline bear the fruit of righteousness in his life. Protect him from further harm, and let Your Spirit work mightily in him to bring about transformation.
We ask all this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who alone can save and restore. Amen.
Stand firm in faith, knowing that God is at work even when we cannot see it. Continue to speak truth into your son’s life, to pray without ceasing, and to trust that the Lord will complete the good work He has begun. *"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it"* (Proverbs 22:6, WEB). Do not lose heart—our God is faithful.