If we were to all get together in one room and one question was asked, “Do you have a family member or dear friend who completely turned their back on the God and wandered off?, we would all have someone that would leap to the front of our minds, wouldn’t we? In fact, we would think of more than one. We probably all have a “list” that we pray for daily.

Pastor James reminds us not to give on that someone you love who have wandered away and to go after them.

“My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.” 
James 5, Msg

We have to be careful how we “go after them”, however. They left with reason from God’s church, but did they leave God? This takes careful discussion with wisdom, insight and understanding. Pastor James taught us about prayer, righteous living, controlling the tongue before ending his “sermon” with this final message to “go after them, without giving up.

We need to use our words and our own lives before them very carefully. Pray, like Paul taught us in God’s Word from Colossians 4:2-6, for that open door…

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Don’t forget to pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to preach about his secret plan–that Christ is also for you Gentiles.” 

“Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.”

“Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.”

“Let you conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.”

Yes, we have an epidemic of turning away from God across our country and around the world. Let’s begin where we live and move on from there praying for opportunity, boldness, and wisdom that is full of grace, the same grace and mercy that was given to us when we knelt at the cross and received His salvation.

Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for those we love who are without you among our family and friends. You love them even more! Give us opportunity and help us say the right words at the right time in the right Spirit. And soften their hearts before we say it. It’s all about You working in us and through us, come alongside others who are lost and pointing the way home