The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

It is excruciating to watch someone that you love, who is far from God, making choices that you can see will end in ruin and pain.  But we aren’t responsible for the happiness, success, spiritual condition, contentment or fulfillment of any other person, other than ourselves!  The Bible tells us in Romans 14:12 that we aren’t called to improve anyone other than ourselves by saying, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Each of us is responsible for our own spiritual condition and God provides a way to truth and the opportunity to repent for all people. You weren’t meant to “save” someone, but you can pray for them, knowing that God wants them to come to salvation.

Encouraging those who are troubled over a loved one who is not living in relationship with God, Ruth Graham Bell wrote, “We…must take care of the possible and trust God for the impossible. We are to love, affirm, encourage, teach, listen, and care for the physical needs of the family. We cannot convict of sin, create hunger and thirst after God, or convert. These are miracles, and miracles are not in our department.”[1]

If you love a wayward one, pray that God’s love will draw them to Himself– Because transformational miracles are God’s specialty!

Resource Reading:  Luke 11:15-32

[1] BGEA. “5 Truths on Prodigals from Ruth Bell Graham,” April 21, 2016. https://billygraham.org/story/ruth-bell-grahams-5-truths-on-prodigals-and-those-who-love-them/.