Prodigals and Those Who Love Them Quotes

“He washed the bleeding sin-wounds,
And poured in oil and wine;
He whispered to assure me,
“I’ve found thee, thou art Mine”:
I never heard a sweeter voice;
It made my aching heart rejoice!
Oh, the love that sought me!
Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,
Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!”
― Ruth Bell Graham, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait

“If you have a prodigal—a son, daughter, husband or father, a mother or wife who is wandering spiritually—be persistent in prayer, but be patient. And be encouraged! Remember, God is not finished.”
― Ruth Bell Graham, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait

“Unaware of my prayer a few weeks prior, my entire family watched in thanksgiving that Sunday as I grabbed my girlfriend by the hand and walked from the balcony all the way to the front of the church. My mom had led me to receive Christ when I was a young boy, although I don’t remember. During the months that followed my prayer in the apartment, I wondered whether I had really been saved prior to my recent prayer. And for a time I really believed it was at twenty-one that I first became a Christian, not as a young boy. After all, how could a Christian possibly live the way I had lived for six years? But then I began to understand the character of God. His faithfulness and commitment to His people goes way beyond my comprehension; and I had never stopped believing in Him during my time of rebellion. In fact, I remembered times during my rebellion when I had desperately called out to God, and was overwhelmed at His closeness to me. Had I lost my assurance during my rebellious years? Absolutely! But I never lost my salvation. My salvation had been secured when I prayed as a young boy, not because of my faithfulness, but because of God’s.”
― Ruth Bell Graham, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait

“I will—
  Encourage.
  Keep communications open at all times.
  Permit person-to-person collect phone calls.
  Let them know they are loved and welcome at
    home, always.
Permit the children to disagree with me, provided
  they do it respectfully. (And I find occasionally
  they are right and I am wrong.)
Make a clear distinction between moral and
  nonmoral issues.
Encourage.”
― Ruth Bell Graham, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait

“Go, go! Leave me alone. Live on as you are living. It is not possible that the son of such tears should be lost.”
― Ruth Bell Graham, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait