The Prayers of the Prodigal: Part II

Tip! Prayer is always and everywhere an immediate and confiding approach to, and a request of, God the Father.

The younger (prodigal) son dislikes the confines of the natural environment and its limitations. The robust, visionary, throbbing life wants to try its wings. He feels the pull of the free, sunny air; he sees the blue sky of youth, the distant hills, green and luscious. Yes, they are green (just as green as inexperienced youth). But the dear lad does not know that. And do not try to tell him unless you wish to have war and trouble.

If you wish to help him, I trust God may give you grace, love, understanding and sound judgment. Try to see from his viewpoint. He has no background of experience as yet to help him, and so he is not capable of very sound judgment on many issues. He has not yet learned (as a Christian) the difference between possibility and probability. It takes some people a long, long time to learn this. Some seem never to learn it.

Do not quarrel with nature. Meet the condition as it is, honestly, and help the boy make the decisions necessary from his own heart, because he wants to do so. Do not buy him and worse still, do not force him to do the right, because you think if he does not he will break your heart. Never mind your heart. It is his heart you are after.

A most interesting question of motives comes in here, and I am tempted to talk on that line but must not. If you are older than he then try to retrace your steps, remembering your costly experiences, until you come to his level of understanding. He has not lived long enough to appreciate your good advice. He may listen out of respect, but it is most difficult for him to see how in any way, his present condition and mood could be helped by what you are telling him. He cannot feature himself facing results which you suggest. "You cannot put old heads on young shoulders." Use tact and find the approach to "where he lives," and work from that angle. Ask God for wisdom to discover the motive of appeal, and always remember it is a most delicate and sacred ministry. Drench it with prayer and intense love for his soul and well being.

Let us look again at this lad. The everyday going and coming, the humdrum life of Dad and the home folks nearly kill him. He thinks his brother is perfectly stupid, and all the rest of the world, to him, seems asleep. Oh if he could only once do something different, something he wanted to do! And what does he not think and feel he could do!

Perhaps he is still in High School (this is, of course, all imaginary). I have to say this because some people are so unimaginative and literal they would probably ask me for a "proof text" that he ever went to school! Maybe he has finished college and is quite sophisticated, and has acquired that bored air so many young folks have. Life is slow and he has to endure so much from the "whole unenlightened universe." Even a college graduate may have a technical knowledge of many points of learning, but there is one thing that a diploma can never give you, and that is the good sense and judgment that come from experience.

Now be patient, you older folk; he is not yet to be blamed. His whole attitude is a part of his nature and outlook. Perhaps he has fought down some foes with which you were never asked to contend. Sometimes people are praised for victory when, after all, it is not victory; for the person praised was too great a coward and too weak to be trusted with a real battle. I think we many times look into the eyes of dear souls who bravely meet enemies we are never asked to face. Be tolerant! The lad is not to be condemned, judged, and criticized--he needs help! He needs someone to help direct the fire and desire, someone to understandingly assist him, put these fine qualities to use and great blessing. Shall I be frank with you? I like this lad very much. And I like very much every girl and every boy today clothed once more with his temperament and rich possibilities. I also must say he reminds me of myself at that age and now of my son too.