Search
-
February 8, 2020By John and Therese Boucher
Special to The CFP
Many Catholic parents are frustrated about their adult children who have stopped going to church. They want to know what they can do. Praying for our adult sons and daughters in an enlightened way is a good beginning. Here are six lessons we have learned about such prayer.
First, it is never too early or too
late to pray for them.
Prayer unleashes the Holy Spirit’s power in ways we don’t always understand. We need to connect ourselves to the strength of God’s love for them and let the Holy Spirit be in charge of the results. Seeking Jesus’ wisdom about our sons’ or daughters’ lives, their difficulties or needs, is a lifelong calling.
Second, ask God, the
Father, to intervene in a son’s or daughter’s life, especially if their situation is out of synch with the message of God’s love, our redemption in Jesus, and the teaching of the Church.
The Father is concerned about their well-being even more than we are. God is already at work in their lives and situations. We need to ask for his eyes to recognize the details.
Third, ask God to send
the Holy Spirit into their lives as a guide.
If our adult children are baptized, they have already been immersed in the life and love of God. But they may not be aware of the presence of the Spirit or how to tap into the power and direction that the Spirit wants to provide them. We can pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, help me and my son/daughter to meet you as a living person and to follow you!”
Fourth, ask for the gift
of peace-filled understanding for ourselves and them.
It is a rare adult son or daughter who can accept a parent’s correction or unsolicited advice concerning their lives and problems without feeling threatened. So we need to let go of our opinions and desires to solve their problems. Our goal is to offer our children to Jesus and let him do the “heavy lifting.”
Fifth, ask for God’s help
in choosing just one detail of his or her life to pray about.
If we find ourselves worrying, let go of knowing God’s whole plan for them. Let go of the way their needs may be tangled up with our own. Pray regularly for just one concrete need that he or she has expressed.
Sixth, speak in ways
that affirm a son or daughter.
Ask respectful questions that will yield a better understanding, such as “Could you tell me more about...?” or “Have you ever thought about...?” Act or serve in ways that reflect God’s love and that utilize the fruits of the Holy Spirit – peace, joy, patience, and understanding. These fruits of the Spirit may not always come naturally; we may need practice.
Learn more...
For more help come to “Praying for Our Adult Sons and Daughters (Sharing the Faith that We Love),” Day of Spiritual Renewal, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29 (including Mass), at St. Roch Parish, 332 Main St., Oxford. (Snow date: March 14)
Registration: $20/person (Includes refreshments, lunch, and materials) due by Friday, Feb. 21.
Send your name, address, phone, email, and registration fee to St. Roch Parish, 332 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540 or St. Joseph Parish, P.O. Box 338, Charlton City, MA 01508. Online registration can be done at https://stjosephscharlton.com/day-of-spiritual-renewal-2-29-2020.
– John and Therese Boucher are authors of hundreds of articles and many books about Catholic evangelization including, “Praying for Our Adult Sons and Daughters: Placing Them in the Heart of God.” They are members of the diocesan Parish Renewal and Evangelization Committee.
