Strategies for Prayer Luke 15:11-32 
 
Approach the Father in that positional place of covenant that the prodigal has with Him.
Remind the Lord that the prodigal is one of his children, and that He is the Father of the Lost. Ask the Lord to go rescue him as a shepherd rescues a lamb that strays from the flock.
 
Pray for supernatural love.
Pray for a love that would be open and warm to the prodigal even when they are still in sin. Love does not mean condoning their actions however. Pray from the position of love, not the position of judgment and anger.
 
Pray for the Grace to let go of the prodigal.
The prodigal's father let the son go. He didn't lay a religious guilt trip or bash with the bible, but let the prodigal go.  Pray for people not to lay judgment on the prodigals. Pray for grace to keep our mouths closed and our hearts open with love and compassion.
 
Pray for grace and endurance to pray for the prodigals.
It can take years to see the fruit of intercession for the prodigals.

Pray for famine.
Pray that whatever or whoever the prodigal is placing their trust in; outside of Jesus would dry up. Pray for disillusionment towards the very things that draws them and holds them captive. Pray that what once brought them pleasure would be dry and barren to them. Pray that the novelty will wear off.
Pray for holy hunger or holy homesickness.
"Oh I remember what it was like to be in fellowship with God, the sweetness of our relationship." Pray that they would long for the cleansing relationship they once had with the Father.

Pray he would come to himself.
Pray he would realize something is wrong. Pray for his eyes to be open to the truth of his situation, and pray against the delusion the enemy would try to bring him.

Pray for gifts of repentance.
"I will arise and go to my Father". Repentance is a gift.  It brings life and freedom. Repentance is breakthrough and deliverance.

Pray that the prodigal will have the ability to receive the grace of God.
Pray that the prodigal would be able to receive the Father's love and forgiveness. Some of the prodigals may have lived very immoral lives and they can't imagine the Father ever wanting them back. They feel they have crossed some sort of line that the Lord would not be able to bless them again.

Pray that the Lord will pour out his riches when the prodigal returns.
Ask the Lord to dump on him blessings of every kind. Pray that the Lord would lavish His love on the prodigal. Pray that when he returns that the prodigal will receive blessing upon blessing.... spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially.
 
Pray for the elder son.
The church (the elder brother) will need the Lord to prepare their hearts to receive the prodigals back. Pray that when the prodigals come home, judgmental attitudes toward them would be gone. Pray against jealousy and envy as God's blessing pours on the prodigal. Pray for the grace that when the prodigals are blessed that those in the church would not hold envy, but feel excited. Pray for financial blessing upon them, spiritual blessing, that they would lead many to the Lord. God does not show partiality. If the blessing comes to the prodigal it will come to the other children too!
 
Pray for those raised in church.
Pray that they will have the grace to accept those who are not quite so polished. Pray that the prodigals who have literally lived on the streets would be loved, bad manners, rough edges and all, into total wholeness. 

-WNOP
 

 
Making a Difference in the Lives of Others
". . . That I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary" (Isaiah 50:4).

 
Have you ever needed a good shoulder to lean on? The load weighed heavy, your spirits sank low, and you felt uncertain if you could carry on. Discouragement settled over you. Then, someone came along with just the right words-or perhaps just a hug and a smile-to lift you up. The problem did not magically melt away, but your steps felt lighter and you knew you could carry on because someone cared.
 
Being that source of encouragement is a wonderful gift you can give others. A self-absorbed person cannot do it, for he is too focused on his own needs to observe anyone else's. To be an encourager requires looking out, not in. It also means not playing the game of "I've had it worse than you" with a long litany of how and why. Neither is an encourager the breezy, backslapper who mouths insincere assurances of "things will get better" and "I'll be praying for you," never to give the hurting one another thought in the days ahead.
 
Galatians 6:2 instructs us to "bear ye one another's burdens." When we help carry the load, putting part of it on our own shoulders, we display true compassion and sympathy. Hebrews 13:3 phrases it another way: "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." A true encourager shares the pain as if he were the one in trouble.
 
Many times we shy away from reaching out to others because we "just don't know what to say." Our words aren't nearly as important as just being there. Knowing someone cares is a mighty force in helping us to hold on to our faith in dark times.
 
Being an encourager places restrictions on us. It required that we not betray that person's trust. It does not entitle us to be privy to every detail of the situation, nor does it allow us to share confidential information with others under the guise of having them help us pray. Our objective is to help carry the load, not increase the burden through careless or embarrassing talk.
 
Paul had two notable encouragers in his life. The first helped when he was a new convert. Despite his miraculous conversion, not everyone readily accepted the former persecutor. Barnabus, the son of consolation, spoke in his defense to the disciples (Acts 9:26-27). Years later, as a prisoner in Rome and near the end of his ministry, Onesiphorus was his encourager. Paul tells of his care in II Timothy 1:16- 18. "He oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain . . . he sought me out very diligently, and found me . . . and in how many things he ministered unto me."
 
These verses give a beautiful picture of how to minister to others. Our words and actions can refresh the weary soul. Despite the complexity of the situation, we must be willing to step in unashamed to help in a trying time. The hurting one may be embarrassed to ask for help, so we seek him out. Last, we remain available to minister as long as there is a need.
 
Would you like to give the gift of encouragement? Ask God to lead you to someone who needs an encouraging friend. They may be dealing with a wayward child, a financial crisis, a troubled marriage, a grave illness, or a dark night of the soul.
 
Solomon in his wisdom told us, "Woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:10). You can be the one to reach out so that one is not alone.
 

  Author Unknown
 
The habit of reading God's Word daily will enrich our lives and help us to grow spiritually. Here are just a few of the benefits that God's Word brings into our lives:
 
Gives hope (Romans 15:4)
Brings light (Psalm 119:105, 130; Proverbs 6:23)
Keeps from sin (Psalm 119:11)
Brings joy (Jeremiah 15:16)
Gives nourishment (Job 23:12; I Peter 2:2)
Gives power for salvation (Romans 1:16)
 
As with any endeavor, it is important to start with prayer. Pray for God's Spirit to give guidance and illumination. Also, remember that our purpose is not just to read, zipping through the chapters to say we are "on schedule" with our reading plan, but to also comprehend and meditate upon each passage. Keep pen and paper beside you as you read. Ask yourself, "What does this verse mean? How can I apply it to my life?"

 

If God gives you a thought or special illumination regarding a verse, write it down. If something is unclear, note your questions so that you can later search out the meaning. Pray and ask God to help you understand His Word (Psalm 119:18).
 
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself as you read: