My grown children are straying from the faith I taught them. What can I do?

Proverbs 22:6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

This is a proverb—not a promise—but it is a wise proverb indeed. If you raised your children on the right path and taught them about faith, then trust that those lessons are still in their hearts. It may take them some time to make their faith their own.

Luke 15:20-21“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’”

Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son, illustrating that sometimes people need to hit rock bottom before they can see up and out. Pray that your children see their need for God and return to him, whatever it takes.

Luke 15:4-7“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

Luke 19:10“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Jesus has not given up on your child, even if your child seems to have given up on him. He came to seek and save those who are lost. Don’t lose hope, and don’t cease to pray for your children.