Episodes
May 31, 2022
A Day to Pray and a Virtual Prayer Community, episode 65
It was June 2 several years ago. Eighteen of us made a large circle in our Florida room. We each shared why we had come—a brief overview of our journey with a prodigal. Some were new-to-me people so new-to-me stories. Others…
May 24, 2022
Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day 1, episode 64
One of the best things that happened to our son was to be put on probation for two years for a minor incident. The consequences were much greater than the offense. But it was an answer to prayer that we could never have anti…
May 17, 2022
Spirit 4: The Source of Peace and Power, episode 63
The chaos was almost palpable. He and his friends barged through the front door. The kitchen was the first stop, then they scaled the stairs to his room in a few leaps. In the early years it was just boy noise and roughhousi…
May 10, 2022
Spirit 3: The Spirit is a Warrior, episode 62
The night our prodigal came to Christ, began three sleepless nights for me—engaged in fierce battle with the powers and principalities of the prince of the air—the minions of the devil himself. My understanding was that the …
May 3, 2022
Spirit 2: Encourager, Truth, episode 61
Today we continue surveying the amazing gift God has given us for our prodigal wilderness journey: His very own Holy Spirit. Last week we considered how He is an Advocate—He’s on our side and stands with us; and a Comforter…
April 26, 2022
Spirit 1: Advocate, Comforter, episode 60
Today we begin the most important series of all our times together. We talk about the secret for surviving and thriving in your wilderness journey. But sure to jot down ideas you can try and apply. No matter what human influ…
April 19, 2022
Creative Ways to Pray for Your Prodigal, episode 59
Over the past year and a half, we have talked about many ways to help our prodigals, and many ways to help ourselves walk through this wilderness journey. And all of those are legit and helpful. But the bottom line is, God i…
April 12, 2022
Pam Lanhart - 2nd Interview, episode 58
When Pam was with us two months ago, she was kind—and so vulnerable—to tell us her long journey with her son Jake’s addiction, his getting clean and making good plans for his life, and then one slip while helping an overdose…
April 5, 2022
Hope 5: A Door and An Anchor, episode 57
You may know the story of Hosea. God asked him to be a living symbol of His faithfulness to unfaithful Israel. So Hosea married a prostitute, loved her, gave her children—and pursued her when she returned to her former life.…
March 29, 2022
Hope 4: 10 Reasons for Hope, episode 56
Most of us are bruised people who desperately need to be reminded, however subtly, that hope is real, grace is often present, goodness counts, love is possible and our lives matter. I believe this is more than mere artistic …
March 22, 2022
Hope 3: His Name is Hope, episode 55
The numbers were adding up. The cars he had gone through numbered 17. The traffic tickets for one year were about 5. I don’t even know how many of the gifts we had given him were gone—pawned. Nor how many times he said “You’…
March 15, 2022
Hope 2: Facing Your Fears, episode 54
When you love a prodigal, you live with fear. One mom named some of the fears she had for her daughter. She could: Be kidnapped and held against her will; Be abducted and sold into sex trafficking; Disappear and never be see…
March 8, 2022
Hope in the Waiting (episode 53)
Our Josh was invited to a week in California with a “surf pastor.” He loved surfing, and he loved the fun and spiritually challenging week. He came home wanting to walk with God, to change his life. And he did. I held my bre…
March 1, 2022
Hope for the Heart with June Hunt (episode 52)
Do you need a counselor? Someone to listen to your fears and frustrations, to understand what it feels like to struggle with a child, to not know what to do, to feel like a failure. Someone who can give wise, practical, work…
Feb. 22, 2022
He’ll Be the Death of Me (episode 51)
Recently a prodigal lover posted a prayer request: “I think my son will be the death of me.” That’s what it’s like sometimes, isn’t it? The fear, the uncertainty, the drugs, the stealing, time in prison, the pregnancy, car a…
Feb. 1, 2022
Josh Tells His Story (episode 50)
Today, celebrating 50 episodes of When You Love a Prodigal, Josh—the prodigal in Judy’s story—tells his own story. In an honest, sometimes teary, tender and hopeful conversation, Josh and Judy walk through his life—from the …
Jan. 25, 2022
Hope and Heartbreak with Addictions—Pam Lanhart (episode 49)
“I’m just a mom…who’s become a warrior.” Growing up with family addictions, Pam Lanhart was determined to protect her children from that devastation. But it came anyway. Her long journey and battle for her son’s freedom has …
Jan. 18, 2022
He Keeps His Promises (episode 48)
It was a long journey. My friends encouraged and prayed for me, but they had families of their own. My co-workers listened to my stories, but didn’t really identify. My husband was so helpful and supportive, but he was busy …
Jan. 11, 2022
Keeping the Sheep (episode 47)
I learned a little about sheep during my farmer son’s brief stint raising sheep. Sheep had some positives—they reduced the need to mow the pasture. And the variety they were raising provided much-desired wool. But sheep requ…
Jan. 4, 2022
My Top Ten Lessons Learned (episode 46)
A great way to begin the new year: I just celebrated my spiritual birthday. December 31 marked 62 years since I received God’s amazing gift of salvation, reconciliation and eternal life. What an adventure it has been! And ma…
Dec. 21, 2021
Advent: Jesus Comes with Valuable Gifts for Your Prodigal Journey (episode 45)
When you love a prodigal, you probably don’t get many Christmas gifts from them. But as Jesus comes at Advent, he brings many valuable gifts for you. There are dozens, but you will discover 20 special gifts to give you joy, …
Dec. 14, 2021
All I Want for Christmas (episode 44)
Lord, please, for Christmas could my child come home? Would you set him free from his addictions? Cause her to quit cutting herself? May they see the emptiness and destructiveness of their choices. And, Lord, may we have …
Dec. 7, 2021
The Best Gifts for Your Kids and Grands (episode 43)
Giving gifts, especially the right kinds of gifts, is a great way to win the hearts of your children and grandchildren and nurture the connections to make them last. You won’t always find me giving the latest toy or must-hav…
Nov. 30, 2021
Interview with Dena Yohe: Can You Love the Holidays When You Love a Prodigal? (episode 42)
If you love a prodigal, you probably have a horror story to tell of a holiday with that loved wanderer. I certainly do, and so does Dena Yohe, co-founder of Hope for Hurting Parents, and parent of Renee, the subject of the f…