Sample from "This My Son"

Introduction

I want nothing more to do with God! This was the decision I made in 1976. I felt God could not be trusted. His promises were a sham, and He was incapable of keeping them. He had slugged me in the gut one too many times. He did not appreciate my dedication to serve Him and totally embarrassed me in front of my friends. I wanted out. God was unfair.

This was not a gradual process of wandering away from the Lord. It was a conscious decision. I was tired of trying. I quit.

However, today I find the preaching of the gospel easy. I enjoy teaching the Word of God and consider it a privilege, but what I am about to share I find very difficult. I am not proud of my actions. Neither do I share my testimony so that people might feel sorry for me or seek to elevate me above the status of a sinner saved by grace and a rebellious son restored by love.

I share these things for three reasons: That, above all else, my Heavenly Father may be glorified. That those currently walking in a backslidden condition may "come to their senses" and return home. That those who have sons or daughters, spouses, or friends, who are not walking with the Lord, will be encouraged to never stop praying for their restoration.

I would like to elaborate on the third reason, for it is a great blessing and encouragement to me. Apart from my dear parents, I know of one lady who never quit praying for me throughout my twenty-three years of rebellion. There were others, but this one saint persisted in her prayers, believing God would restore me to Himself. You would have thought that after five years she would have become discouraged and stopped praying. But no, she continued to bring my case before the Throne of Grace. Perhaps after fifteen years had passed without any indication of repentance on my part, she would have concluded that God was not going to answer her prayer. Twenty years went by, but she persisted. Then after twenty-three years, she received a letter from the subject of her prayers, telling her how God had so wonderfully and unmistakably restored him to Himself. She was the first person I told. She immediately responded to my letter and said, "This is the most wonderful letter I have ever received. When I read it, I cried."

If you are reading these words and have been praying for a backslidden loved one or friend, I urge you to never stop praying for them. I believe with all my heart that our Heavenly Father will answer your prayers and that he or she will be restored to fellowship. You may not live to see it for yourself, but pray believing. How many times I have heard the testimony of those who have "come home" after many years in a "foreign land" and are so thankful for the prayers of their mother, father, or friend. Their biggest regret is that the prayer warrior died before their prayers were answered. But pray believing, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" (Matt. 21:22). These are the words of Jesus Himself. God is so faithful.

During my recent visit to Denmark's Faroe Islands, a lady came up to me and said, "Many times, while I was praying, God laid you on my heart. Now I know why." When I got back to my room, I fell to my knees in thankfulness to God. I was overcome with the knowledge that God had not forgotten me, and all of this time He had been reminding His people to pray for me. Here was a lady I had forgotten., yet she faithfully obeyed the voice of the Lord to pray for me. She had no idea where I was or what I was doing, but she was praying for me.

In retrospect, I wish I had never made the decision to turn my back on God, but I did and God is using that experience now to His glory. How very gracious, loving, and faithful He is. As my story will recount, I am so thankful that God's faithfulness does not depend upon mine.