WHEN THE PRODIGAL RETURNED.

Striding out firmly, Ron hurried up the narrow gangway leading to the overseas liner, soon to pull away from the wharf. Ron anxiously left Ireland to live in Australia, away from the influence of his christian home and praying parents. He had finished with Christianity. So he thought. But God hadn’t finished with him.

Like Jonah running away, Ron rejected a mighty prayer-answering God . The Lord knew Jonah’s whereabouts; and Ron’s also. Soon God began answering his mother’s prayers. In a South Australian country town, where Ron found work, someone befriended him and witnessed to his faith in Jesus Christ. Ron was converted, and became a vibrant christian.

Eventually he came to Adelaide, visiting a church where he met and later married a christian girl. Today their home is open to all, while Ron and his wife have lists of people to pray for, remembering his mother’s faithful prayers. He returned to Ireland to see again the parents who had never faltered in prayer, that their son would find peace with God and acknowledge Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

I remember Max’s mother, to whom it was incredible that the son she had nurtured and prayed for since his birth had become an SP bookmaker. Prayer became her only refuge. She knew God had His time to being her boy to repentance and faith.

One night, while drunken Max slumped across the unmade bed, he heard the telephone tingle. ‘Answer it,’ he snapped at Mary, his wife, used to answering the telephone , for she often took the phone bets for Max. She returned with a message for him. Max’s niece had invited them to a gospel meeting. Max had no desire to accept, yet, because he loved his niece, Max said, ‘ Yes,’ and immediately regretted it. Looking back, he realised he did not fully understand what he was doing.

It is a long story, but Mary and Max were truly converted that night. They sold all their furniture to pay the bookmaking debts. Left with one dish, one piece of cutlery, a mattress and blanket each, Max and Mary with their three children trusted God. Little by little, they settled their debts, with the creditors amazed at the change in Max’s life conversion. Max and Mary, who now have six lovely children, are totally committed to Jesus Christ.

Mary became peaceful, and Max committed to a bible class and regularly visit a Boy‘s remand home to share Jesus Christ with the boys. Mary assists in a women’s bible class, where I met Max’s dear old mother, who told me, ’ I cannot understand how it all happened - I know God answered my prayers’. It was God’s time.

We are living in days when the colourful and alluring temptations of the world shape young people into its mould. Many are drawn away from the christian home and faith of their parents. Eventually, though, their comes a day of reckoning - a time of crisis, Both Ron and Max tole me how they realised the emptiness of life without Jesus Christ. They each admitted their foolishness in going their own ways. This is the moment of answered prayer.

These stories are remarkably similar to the Prodigal Son. ( Luke 15 ) He took his fathers’ money, travelled as far away as possible, got into the groove of peer pressure, having a wow of a time. That is, until everything began to fail. Money. Friends, Work. Even the pig’s food was nauseating. The moment of crisis came, as it will, and the prodigal realised the futility of his present state and his rebellion against his father. In the least likely circumstances, the prodigal said, ’I have sinned - I will arise and go to my father and say so.’ And the loving Father is always waiting. So is the godly mother.

Many dear mothers and fathers wonder- wait- pray. God has His appointed time.

Recently I spoke to one, with a grave situation in her home. I had to confess, ’I have nothing more that I can suggest to help; you and your situation. All I can say is ’ God will answer prayer.’ She answered accusingly ,’ You’ve been telling me that for ten years.’ ’Yes,’ I agreed, ’and I know God has His appointed time and circumstances; that is why I have faith in God to keep on believing for you.’ She nodded in agreement, for we had seen Him answer many other prayers for her.

Only two weeks later God answered prayer remarkably, with a set of circumstances that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, brought a wayward daughter to Christ, and a delinquent son to submission.

In 1810 Brownlow North was born. No mothe could have prayed for or taught her boy like Mrs North. Yet, he became known throughout England and Scotland for his livid, loose and lustful life. In 1839 the Duchess of Gordon, dining with him, commented, ’He is utterly careless and ungodly.’ His influence was pernicious. Then in 1854, during a severe illness, he realised his empty, sinful life, till he cried for compassion to an all-merciful and gracious God.

At Christmas that year his glad mother said, ‘Brownlow, God is not only able to save you, but to make you more conspicuous for good than ever you were for evil.’ He was known throughout Scotland and England for his impassioned preaching.

His mother never stopped praying, while God ordered the circumstances over 44 years for the conversion of Brown low North. Mrs N. prayed for her son for 30 years. His letter telling of his conversion never reached her, for she was taken Home while the letter was in transit. Her prayer was answered.

Our God is sovereign. Whilst He gives man ( and young people) free will to choose their path temporarily, He is also a God who keeps His promise. He said through David, ‘He that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him,’ (Psalm 126:6)

Do you believe that?