Ever seem like your loved ones will never be saved? Keep praying.
Monica got no spiritual help from her unbelieving husband raising their brilliant son.
At 16, he went away to school to study rhetoric, and plunged into all the excesses the city had to offer. By 17 he was living with a girl, and soon she was pregnant. Two years later he began a 9-year teaching career, during which he said, “I was led astray myself and led others astray.” All this time Monica prayed fervently for her son.
He began attending a church, but only to study the preacher’s rhetorical style. But gradually the preacher convinced him intellectually of the truth of the gospel, though his sexual passions hindered him from committing himself to Christ. Nevertheless, he began asking God to help him become pure, adding, “but not yet” fearing God would hear his prayer too soon and remove his lust.
One day he heard a childlike voice saying, “Take and read, take and read.” So he grabbed a Bible and read the first passage he saw: “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (RO 13:13-14).
He was instantly converted. He was 32. And Monica’s son, Augustine, became one of the great early Christian theologians.
Rob and Alida (fictitious names) also prayed for years for their son, who as a teen began a long downward slide into rebellion and drugs. But one night not long ago, while driving down the highway, he had a sudden panic attack. He pulled over and called his dad. Imagine Rob’s joy as he heard his son say, “Dad, I need to be saved.” They talked for a long time and that night Rob’s son was born again. He was 26.
Soon he was sharing the gospel with friends and co-workers. “He’s completely changed,” Rob told me recently, “now he talks about the Lord all the time. It’s amazing.” Not only that, but God saved the young man’s estranged wife within a week of saving him, and they began working things out.
Remember Monica. Remember Rob and Alida. Keep praying and don’t lose heart.
photo by foundphotoslj
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this encouragement. My three older brothers are not Christians and it is easy for me in my heart to give up and think it is never going to happen. Thank you for the reminder that it is never too late and to always keep praying!
Your welcome, Wendy.
Keep praying for them. They’re not too hard for Jesus to save.
As a mom who has two unsaved children (ages 22 and 20), I sometimes get discouraged. Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder.
Wow!
Thank you sooo much for this! My older brother and younger sister are both not Christian, any many friends I grew up with (in church) have turned away from Jesus.
I constantly need to remind myself that God is strong to save, and is powerful enough to save anyone, even those closest to me! Thank you for this encouragement!
Should have read, “…AND many friends….”
I love those 2 stories. Thank you for the hope…
Elaine,
I can’t think of anything more challenging and tempting to discouragement than waiting for and trusting God to save our children. But I believe it’s his will to do so, so that encourages me to continue to pray. I’m grateful you were encouraged.
Tom,
I’m so glad you were encouraged. I believe that one of the reasons God saves us is that we might intercede for our families and friends. And you are so right, God can save anyone, even those close to us who seem so closed. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Emily!
Keep hoping and praying!
My brother and I have been praying for our parents ever since we were saved back in 2003. This was very encouraging. I have known the story of St. Augustine for a long time and tried to read through the Confession (but never finished) a couple times. But it was encouraging to read it again with a fresh perspective. thanks for the entry!
Hey Terrance,
I hope the Lord saves your parents soon. Keep praying for them. No one is outside the Lord’s power to save. I’m grateful the Lord would use this to encourage you.
We recently read about St. Augustine about a week ago for school and it is such a powerful testimony. It really is an encouraging reminder to never give up on our unsaved loved ones. Thanks for posting this, I’ve found your blog for the first time tonight and have been greatly encouraged and inspired by it. God bless!