Life happens, and some of us backslide in the process. However, if you see someone who has turned away from God, all you have to do is pray for them. Prayer can renew their heart in God. Consider the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. This is a reminder of God’s love even for those who turn away from Him. The son demanded his inheritance and squandered it recklessly. When he finally came to his senses and realized his mistake, he returned to his father with a humble heart. He said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21).
But what did the father do? He didn’t scold or reject his son. Instead, he welcomed him back with open arms. He even celebrated his return with a grand feast, declaring, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” (Luke 15:24).
This person whose life is now the opposite of what God desires from us is still valuable to the kingdom. God is always waiting for us to return to Him, no matter how far we may have strayed. We will pray together, and you’ll let this person know that God is still waiting for their return.
Prayer for Someone Who Has Turned Away From God
We won’t abandon this soul, but rather pray for this soul find the face of God again in their life. Let’s pray.
1. Prayer for a Prodigal Believer To Acknowledge
Oh God,
Your son/daughter has gone astray. But right now, I lift them up to you. I pray that they would acknowledge their sin and turn back to you. Saint Augustine recognized that it’s important to know oneself as a sinner. Now, I pray that this person would see the brutal truth of their sin and acknowledge it.
Help this lost soul understand that their sin is not just a mistake or a momentary lapse, but a revelation of their weakness and a result of their sinful heart. May they stop using soft words and excuses, and instead, own their sin and take responsibility for it.
Father, as they will acknowledge their sinful life, may the darkness of their heart be revealed to them, as well as the evil that dwells within. I pray for their acknowledgment to be the beginning of a renewed future for them, one of repentance and restoration.
Amen.
2. Oh Lord, Help This Soul Uncover the Truth
Heavenly Father,
I believe that if this person uncovers the truth of their sin, they will let your light shine in. Please, help them to open the door to their heart and let you in to do your work. I know that it can be embarrassing and painful, but they need to see the truth that motivates them to uncover their iniquity. Help this brother/sister know that when they uncover their sin, you will cover it with your mercy because “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13.
This is why I’m pleading with you, oh Lord, to give them the courage to willingly bring their sin to you. Discourage this person from rather trying to cover it up because won’t help. Help them to choose the painful but merciful path, oh Lord. May they follow the path of having you bring them into the light.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
3. Prayer for Someone to Confess After Backsliding
Oh GOD,
I know that it’s only when we confess our sins that you will grant us mercy. My friend has slipped out of your ways, and now I need You to give him reasons to confess after backsliding. People in Korea experienced a powerful movement of the Spirit, which lead to public confession and repentance. Now, I pray that you help this person experience a similar breakthrough.
My prayer is for them to acknowledge the truth about who they are. I want them to be able to agree with you about their sin, and seek your face. May they speak honestly about their evil thoughts and actions. May this confession break the glass of pride and self-deception that has held them back from turning back to You.
As they confess, help them to experience the renewing power of your Spirit. Restore their broken spirit and lead them to repentance. I know you will answer my prayer because this is me praying for a lost sheep. Help this person see themselves as you see them, and may they cry out for your forgiveness.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
4. Prayer for Renewed Joy Through Confession
Oh, Dear Father,
Could you please renew the joy of this person after their confession? Please, make them find renewed joy through confession and repentance. Help them to see that living with hidden sin only dries up their spiritual strength, but confession, by your grace, is the doorway to everlasting joy. I quote Psalm 51:1:
Come and receive the blessings of the Lord, and let us confess our sins to Him, saying: ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.’
Father, may this person be ready to take thisbdifficult step of confessing their sin. Help them to know that it is necessary for their growth in spirit, and their restoration in thine kingdom. Help this person experience the freedom and peace that comes with accepting you, confessing their sins and receiving your forgiveness. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 32:1-2, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them.” May this person I’m praying see your blessing as they confess and repent.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen!
5. May Heavens Grant Them the Strength to Pray All the Time
Oh, Heavenly Father,
The Bible says to pray and give thanks to You is Your will. This is seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is the reason I come before you that you would give this soul the strength to pray all the time, and to exalt your name, especially in their time of greatest desperation.
Help this lost soul to come to you with nothing in their hands but a simple request for cleansing. Heal them, oh Lord, and show them how to depend on your mercy alone to make them new.
As they will repent and turn back to you, help them to see their need and your provision with fresh eyes. May they offer prayer in the midst of their repentance, knowing that you are right there with them, ready to grant forgiveness and redemption through the cross of Christ.
May they humble themselves and find you, dear God, in the lowly and contrite place where you dwell. May they experience your presence and your mercy, and may their prayer be a constant cry for your help and guidance.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
6. Heavens, May They Not Return to the Life of Sin
Dear God,
While I have come calling on your name into the life of someone who departed from your ways, father, I want you to help them to stay committed. My prayer is for them not to return to the life of sin that they have repented of. I want this person to continue to turn away from the negativities that ruined them and instead follow the new path of righteousness that comes from obedience to Jesus.
As Psalm 32:8-9 instructs, may they be ready to be led by your Word and not be stubborn. Guide their mind to refuse being led apart from the bit and bridle. Help them remember the full pardon they have received and not turn away from your light to walk in the paths of darkness again.
May they find a nail-pierced hand to lead them in the way and may they stay near to you. May this soul follow your lead, obey your instruction, teaching, and counseling. Dear God, help this returning soul to experience the newness of life that they long for. Help them rejoice in your grace.
Amen.
7. Help Them to Rejoice and Be Glad in the Lord
Our Father,
I pray for this returning soul to rejoice and be glad in you, dear Lord. May they experience the ultimate end of Christian repentance, which is joy, and may they be welcomed back into your good graces through Jesus Christ. As the hymn says, may they know that their sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and may they bear it no more. I want this person to praise you, dear Lord, with all their soul, and may they experience the fullness of Christ’s redemption.
Father, let your grace, which is wholly cleansing, wash them clean, and may they rejoice as only a saved sinner can. Fill them with joy and gratitude, and help them live a life that brings honor to Your kingdom.
Amen.
8. Introduce This Person to Your Scriptures, Oh Lord!
Heavenly King,
My short prayer is for you to introduce this person to your scriptures. Also, allow them to see the strength that comes from studying your Word. Your servant David wrote in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” may this person find comfort as well as direction in your scriptures. As they read and study your Word, may they hear your voice speaking directly to their heart. Guide and direct them in their journey, and help them find courage and hope in the stories of others who have faced similar circumstances and triumphed through faith and patience. An example is Joseph who was sold into slavery but became a leader in Egypt. We also have Esther who risked her life to save her people from persecution.
May your scriptures refresh this person, and help them come to know you as a loving Father.
Amen.
9. Bring Them to Talk to You, Dear Father
Oh Lord,
This is what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Hence, I pray that this person who departed from your ways would come to know that you are loving and always present in our lives. Help them to be eager to listen. Guide them in all aspects of their life so that they may learn to trust in you.
As they will pray to you, help them to feel your presence, and may they find wisdom in your responses. Help this prodigal son come to understand that prayer is not just a one-way conversation, but a dynamic and living relationship with you, dear Father. Just as a child talks to their parent, may they talk to you honestly, and find it easier to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns with you.
I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, as we have prayed for this prodigal son who turned away from you to find their way back, may You answer our prayer. We know that you want to forgive you, restore, and welcome back into the kingdom. Please, let this wandering soul see a reason to turn back and become a better person. Amen!
