The snow was causing whiteout conditions. The temperature was falling into the 20's and the forecast was for more of the same. So, as sometimes happens in Northern Indiana, our evening service was cancelled. We were tucked into our home for the night.

Earlier that afternoon, our daughter-in-law Brandie, and our three young grandchildren left for Florida to spend the holiday's with her family. At about 4 PM I had checked on her and the roadways were clear and the sun was shining. "Oh good, she is ahead of the storm" I said to my husband.

At about 6:30 PM Brandie called with a dire report. Visability was poor, she was lost and in a ditch. Our son called the police dispatch near where she thought she was located and was told, "Tell them that we are not even sending plows out tonight because visability is zero. She should just stay in the van, cover up and wait for help, it may not be until daylight."

At the thought of my grandchildren and my sweet daughter-in-law being stranded overnight in a blizzard, I immediately ran to my prayer closet to petition the Lord on their behalf. I knew that Brandie, a prayer warrior herself, would be praying, but I also knew she would have her hands full attending to her three young children to keep them calm and warm.

As the storm raged, and my anxiety wanted to take control, my prayer was succinct. I implored the Lord to send an angel to their rescue. I reminded Him of other similar stories I had heard and begged Him to give us a testimony of our own. I began to quote Psalm 34 as I cried out to the Lord. "I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." and "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."

About 45 minutes into my prayer, my husband tapped on the door of our bedroom, and said, "The Lord has heard our prayers."

A man had appeared, tapping on Brandie's car window with a flashlight asking "Do you need some help?" The man was driving a pick-up truck. He pulled her from the ditch and led her to the next town. My husband contacted the pastor near-by who drove to where they were and escorted them to their church where a nice room was provided for the night.

I'm glad I know the Peace Speaker!

Jane Cottrill is the wife of Pastor Mark Cottrill who pastors the Bourbon UPC in Bourbon, IN. Jane is the prayer ministry coordinator for their local assembly, the Indiana District Ladies Ministries President, and works part time as an RN. She is the mother of two sons, Matthew and Nathan who are both licensed ministers.

"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Read Matthew 18:11-14).  

While difficult times often precipitate people walking away from God, it is not the only reason they leave. Losing or never establishing a strong desire for the things of God is dangerous, and the enticement of this world is a continual draw.  Regardless of what instigates their departure, the loss of one individual is devastating. 

The story of the prodigal son helps us understand all that is lost when one person walks away from God.  The prodigal son apparently felt he could handle his life better without his father's assistance. He demanded his share of his father's wealth and departed. After squandering all he had, his quality of life deteriorated. Thankfully, he came to himself, returned to his father's house, and their relationship was restored. (See Luke 15:11-32.)

The joyful ending, though, did not replace the possessions and wealth he had frittered away. It did not repay his sibling and others who performed his duties during his absence. Nor did it undo his father's agony of waiting for him to come to himself.   

Although God never gives up on prodigal people and the church continues to pray and reach out to them, so much is wasted in the interim. 

Beyond the spiritual ramifications are the far reaching consequences of their choices. Every life touches many others. Their personal witness is destroyed and the local church is discredited. 

The family of a prodigal also suffers. Their souls hang in the balance, and they also need care and assistance.  Even if the prodigal returns to God, the damage done cannot be reversed. With such devastating consequences, doesn't it make sense that we do whatever it takes to prevent people from becoming prodigals?

We request prayer for a migraine, diabetes, and cancer, but a broken heart, shattered dreams, and frayed emotions need prayer and care too.             

People do not backslide overnight. It takes time for someone who has been filled with the life-changing power of the Holy Ghost to become alienated from the Lord. Recognizing these signs is the first step in Prodigal Prevention. 

When we keep our focus on the Lord's return, we maintain a sense of divine destiny and live by heavenly priorities.

-Rev. David Bernard

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Praise God in the morning, and the devil takes warning. Praise God at noon, and the devil stands marooned. Praise God at night, and the devil loses the fight.  

-K W Yates 

Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry, God never blinks.

-Unknown