For God does speak—now one way, now another—though man may not perceive it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds,

He may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, to turn man from wrongdoing

and keep him from pride, to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.

Job 33;14-18

These words were spoken by Elihu as he presented his case against Job. Job frequently complained that God would not respond to him. Elihu came across as insensitive to what Job was going through, but what he said was true. God does speak to people in various ways. What Job said was also true from his experience after everything that happened to him. If God was speaking, Job wasn’t able to hear Him…until He did. God spoke to Job out of a storm or as the NLT says it, “a whirlwind”. I don’t know exactly what that means, but I do know that Job could hear God clearly! He finally had the audience with God that he wanted. But getting back to the fact that God speaks in many ways or as the NLT says it, “again and again”, and specifically mentions dreams and speaking in men’s ears with warnings, this is something we can hang on to when praying for our prodigals. God is speaking to them!!

If the enemy had his way, he would have taken our prodigals out, but God is fighting for them so they are still standing today. God is speaking to our prodigals, but they are not listening. And as long as we are praying, we can be assured that God will not stop fighting for them…He will not stop speaking to them. Here are some verses that speak to God being on our side and fighting for us, all from the NASB:

"For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

Deuteronomy 20:4

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Romans 8:31

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

"Through You we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us."

Psalm 44:5

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Matthew 10:28

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

John 10:10

“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”

Deuteronomy 3:22

"Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary."

Isaiah 40:31

"One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you."

Joshua 23:10

Claim these verses for yourself and our prodigals. Here are a few other prayer strategies based on Scripture from the NLT:

"For this reason I will fence her in with thornbushes. I will block her path with a wall to make her lose her way. When she runs after her lovers, she won't be able to catch them. She will search for them but not find them. Then she will think, 'I might as well return to my husband, for I was better off with him than I am now.

Hosea 2:6-7

Inside the thorny hedge, they won’t be able to get out or find their way. They won’t be able to run after their “loves”; those things they think make them happy. They will try but be unsuccessful. This strategy will lead them to return to their former way because they were better off. Pray they will be fenced in with thornbushes; a thorny hedge and a wall that will block their path.

You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.

Exodus 20:5

Break off generational curses. Addictions, sexual sins, violence, shame, guilt, lying, untimely deaths…anything that has been a pattern in your family history. Repent on behalf of your ancestors who may have introduced these curses into your family and break them off at the root by the power of the blood of Jesus who is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9

Now replace the generational curses with generational blessings. Since you are the one who loves Him and keeps His commands, you have the right to claim these for the prodigals in your life and the generations to come.

“But this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!” Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? Luke18:5-7

Persevere! Don’t give up! Pray ALAT--as long as it takes! PUSH—pray (or praise) until something happens! This is what this parable is teaching. If the unrighteous judge finally gave in, how much more will our heavenly Father be willing to give us what we ask for. It may take a while. Not because God isn’t willing, but He will not force anyone to repent or return. The enemy is fighting hard to keep them from returning so we must fight hard also through battle prayers. At The Well this morning, we learned about battle fighting through prayer and praise. It’s our double-sided sword to take into the battle.

We must obey God rather than man.

Acts 5:29

Ask God to give you a verse to claim for your prodigal. One of the verses God gave me for Nathan is Acts 5:29. When the apostles were arrested for preaching and the high priest asked them why they were preaching when they were told to stop, they replied, “We must obey God rather than man.” So even though in the physical realm this verse has not taken effect in Nathan’s life, in the spiritual realm, God has already answered this prayer. I can visualize angels waging war in the heavenlies because I have fasted, prayed, and praised. I have taken the battle seriously! And it is only a matter of time before what God has declared for Nathan becomes reality on the earth and in his life. Take a stand! Sometimes God lets things crumble so He can build them up better! Trust that God is doing His part, He is fighting for them and He is speaking to them. Lord, open their ears to hear You!