I’ve prayed God’s word for many years now and I’ve seen God do amazing things.
When my oldest son, Stephen, was sixteen, we went on a short-term missions trip to Cameroon, Africa, together. While there, I saw the call of God on his life to minister the Word. But after we returned from Africa, Stephen began to turn away from the things of God and he began his prodigal journey.
Though I had concern, okay I’ll be honest—though I worried about him, I thought he would experience some trouble like most of us have. I figured he would go through the “I want to party and be irresponsible phase” and then eventually come to his senses like the boy in Luke 15.
I even had other people tell me, “Don’t worry Momma; he’ll be okay.” My friends with adult children went through similar experiences with their sons and daughters, and their kids finally got realistic and turned into productive members of society. I believed that would happen for Stephen.
As a mother, I prayed regularly for my son. After writing a Bible Study on Hosea, I came across a Scripture that I prayed specifically for Stephen. I prayed Hosea 2:6 which reads:
“Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths” (ESV).
God answered, however, in a way I least expected.
Stephen began drifting off. Though he drank and dabbled with drugs, he had never had a DWI, or any drug related charges.
But when we received the middle of the night phone call that he had been arrested, my mind could not conceive it. That was not who my son was or who he is. I never imagined him capable of doing such a horrible thing.
Struck hard by this tragedy, I became filled with brokenness and heartache for the losses that happened to the victims and their families. And at the sense of loss of all the potential I knew that was in my son to live a productive life.
At that moment in time, I had to make a choice —
believe God or turn away from Him.
In John 6, Jesus taught some hard teaching that many people of his time couldn’t understand so they deserted him. Jesus asked his closest disciples, “Are you going to leave me too? Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life’” (John 6:68).
I knew in my heart that there was no where else to turn.
God was and is all I have to hold onto. Apart from Him there is NO LIFE!
Nine months after that tragic night and after the middle of the night phone call, Stephen was convicted and sentenced to twenty years in state prison by jury.
So it seemed that God was not answering my prayer for my prodigal son to return home — to return to the God of his youth.
However, after Stephen’s conviction, the Lord showed me He did answer my prayer. He reminded me of how I prayed Hosea 2:6 and God literally “fenced” or “hedged” in my son by placing him in prison.
In a prison cell, Stephen repented and returned to the Lord. He began witnessing to those around him and has led other inmates to Christ. (I shared this Easter salvation testimony last year — Rejoice Over One.) Stephen has planted the word of God in men who will other wise never hear the gospel because in prison, church is optional and even if you choose to go, there are only so many seats available and it’s a first come first serve by dorm.
In the midst of my worst nightmare, I continue to chose to believe God. I decided to stand on God’s word because He loves my son more than I do.
I truly believe that if God had not “hedged” my son in and he had been released or used as a witness instead of being convicted as an accessory, he would not have turned away from the lifestyle he was delving into. And to confirm that, I recently received a letter and this is what Stephen wrote:
“I’m sure God spared me from a lot! Speaking of addictions and what not. If God had not pulled me away from that lifestyle, I would most likely gone even further down hill. I probably would have become addicted to drugs and only gotten worse. So I thank God He saved me.”
So my friends, see our prayers are powerful. God answers our prayers, but not always like we expect. We must trust that God knows what is best for us and our loved ones even when we do not understand.
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Because of where Stephen is serving, I ask you to pray for him that he will be a light of Jesus our Savior to men that many have rejected and forgotten about. I also ask you to pray for his protection and safe keeping.
“Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself” (Hebrews 13:3 NLT).
And finally, if you have a loved one doing time, I’d love to pray for you. The family here at FGGAM would love to pray for you. You are not alone. Please leave your prayer requests in the comments and I (and/or others from FGGAM) will respond in the comments with a prayer for you.
Additional reading on An Unexpected Journey:
Sing Hosanna – An Unexpected Journey
From Control Freak to Jesus Freak
How I Survive the Pain of Mother’s Day
© 2014 Shonda Savage