To be released Spring 2025 in all major retailers.

PRODIGAL

/ˈprädəɡəl/

• a person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return

I was in my mid-twenties when I had the prayer of desperation that many of us know all too well. I was at a crossroads, gripped by depression and bound in addiction. In my defeat, I knew I didn’t want to die, but I wasn’t sure if I had any fight left. The only thing I could do was surrender and stop fighting. I pleaded with God to take away the pain and for once became willing to try something different. That day was the beginning of a new life, and through perseverance and God’s handiwork, I write this as a sober woman of twelve years (2012) and counting. By God’s grace!

As some of you may read this, the way I felt may be familiar to how you're feeling. If this is where you are, hang on! Part of living in this earthly existence is experiencing wilderness seasons, and what I know to be true is that we live in a fallen world. We have an enemy that wants nothing more than for us to accept a life of defeat. We have an enemy that thrives when we feel isolated and doesn’t want us to know about the freedom we can have when we have a relationship with God. I am here to tell you that these times are temporary and that there is a greater story waiting to be told. 

God uses everything for good and the deepest and darkest parts of my story are what have brought hope to others. In the next thirty days, we are going to look at self-created beliefs and courageously embrace our God–given image. Through our efforts in diving deep, there will be a point where we start to recognize that we are greater than our circumstances and that we have a God who waits in perfect patience for us to come back home. There is no length we have gone that is too far, and I firmly believe that where there is breath, there is hope. There is a reason you are here, and I just ask that you read this with an open mind, especially if you aren’t sure about God.

When you read through each day, you’ll notice three sections at the bottom: a prayer for us, a gratitude statement, and a prayer for others. In my process of healing, I have learned that prayer is one of the biggest weapons we have when we are amidst spiritual warfare. I have also learned that seeing life through the lens of gratitude can move mountains and completely shift our perceptions, transforming how we relate to others. Lastly, when we pray for others, we abandon feeling stuck in isolation and begin to weave in a sense of community. Scripture tells us that, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them” (Matthew 18:20, ESV).

My prayer is that this devotional blesses you and that you can find the encouragement to unburden yourself of the weights holding you down. You are not defined by your circumstances, and we have such a good, good God who wants to empower you into righteous living. I am no different than you; if it weren’t for others going before me and encouraging me, I am not sure I would still be here today. Have faith in these words and stay with it, one day at a time.

In Christ,

A prodigal