Praying Prodigals Home by Quin Sherrer

Author:Quin Sherrer [Sherrer, Quin and Ruthanne Garlock]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, pdf
Tags: Intercessory prayer—Christianity, Parents—Religious life
ISBN: 9781441268709
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 1999-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Obeying God’s Call

Karen went to India in obedience to God and spent three years there and in Sri Lanka, mainly involved in children’s ministry. She faithfully wrote home to inform her parents of her well-being and the joy she had in serving the Lord. Her mother responded, but not her father. After three years she returned home to seek God’s direction for the next step in her life; she stayed on the Bible school campus with a close friend.

When she went to visit her family, she arrived to find her father at home alone, preparing to go to work. They sat down in the living room to talk and she told him about all she had been doing in India. That was well and good, but he was more interested in what she was now going to do. “I expect to be in full-time ministry, Dad,” she told him. “God has placed a special love and burden in my heart for India. I want to return and serve the Lord there.”

“Don’t do this to your life,” he begged. “Don’t spoil your life. You will have no future or happiness, and it is sheer madness.” Again he was reacting with frustration and anger.

Then he challenged her: “Karen, what do you want? I will give you whatever you want. What school do you want to attend? I’ll send you to the finest school. I’ll give you a car. I’ll do whatever you want and give you whatever you need, but please don’t do this.”

Oh, what a battle! In her heart she prayed, I would do anything for You, Father, but this I cannot do. Oh, Lord, is there no other way? He doesn’t understand. He loves me and I love him. Why do I have to break his heart? I don’t want to hurt him. Is it right?

Those words echoed in her mind—Is it right? Is it right? Is it right?

But Lord, I cannot deny You. Never had she felt so torn, yet so helpless.

Her father picked up his lunch box and left that day without another word, slamming the door behind him.

“I was a broken person,” Karen said. “To him I was a prodigal because I obeyed God’s call on my life. At the time, I had no idea that almost 20 years would pass before I’d see him again.”

Over the next months she stayed on campus, attending some classes and visiting friends who had supported her through their prayers and gifts. During those days of seeking God’s direction, she met her husband-to-be, an Indian national who had come to the Bible school under a work scholarship program. God brought them together and confirmed through many counselors that their marriage was in His plan.

Karen says, “When we decided to marry, my fiancé contacted his parents and received their blessing. I in turn called my father to tell him my decision, but I knew there would be no blessing. This was the final breaking point in our relationship. In a rage he said, ‘I never want to see you again.

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