Discover practical ways to love your prodigal son or daughter by addressing their doubts, rebuilding trust, and keeping the door open to faith.
Every parent longs to see their children walk with God for a lifetime. But sometimes that dream is interrupted by seasons of doubt, rebellion, or even outright rejection of faith.
And it’s not just children—prodigals can be spouses, siblings, friends, or anyone you care about who has wandered from God. Few things cut deeper than watching someone you love drift from the truth you’ve built your life on.
This isn’t an isolated issue. We live in a moment where many who once seemed firm in their faith are now questioning or walking away.
The good news is: doubt is not the opposite of faith. Unbelief is. Doubt can become the doorway to a stronger, more resilient faith if it is handled with patience and grace.
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- What Does the Bible Say About a Prodigal Child?
- Why Do Prodigal Children Doubt Their Faith?
- How Should Parents Respond When a Child Doubts God?
- 3 Biblical Anchors for Loving a Prodigal Child
- How to Love a Prodigal Child With Your Head, Heart, and Feet
- Practical Next Steps for Parents of Prodigal Children
- Encouragement for Parents of Prodigal Children
What Does the Bible Say About a Prodigal Child?
A “prodigal” is someone who once followed Jesus but has wandered from Him. In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a young man who demanded his inheritance, left home, and squandered it all in reckless living. But when he finally came to his senses and returned, he found his father running toward him with open arms. That same heart of mercy is God’s heart toward every prodigal.
Loving a prodigal means walking through a long valley filled with prayer and patience, and, unfortunately, pain. It’s one of the hardest journeys a believer can take, but it’s never without hope.
God’s Word reminds us that no one is beyond His reach. The same Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine for the one is still pursuing your son, your daughter, your friend. And He is faithful to write the last chapter of every person’s story.
Why Do Prodigal Children Doubt Their Faith?
Today’s prodigals aren’t just asking, “Is Christianity true?” They’re asking, “Is Christianity good?”
They’re bombarded with messages that the Church is outdated and irrelevant. They scroll past stories of hypocrisy. They sit in classrooms where the foundations of their faith are dismantled. And beneath the intellectual questions, there’s often deep hurt: pain from relationships, disappointment with Christians, or wounds from a God they feel didn’t come through.
In Luke 15, the father didn’t chase his son into the far country. He let him go, but he never stopped loving, praying, or watching the road for his return. That’s our model: patient, enduring love anchored in truth.
For further study, read 4 Inspired Portraits Revealing the Roles of a Faithful Father.
How Should Parents Respond When a Child Doubts God?
When a child or grandchild shares their doubts, your first reaction may be to either build a bridge or erect a wall.
Too often, we panic. We try to fix everything in one conversation. Or we pressure them to “just believe” without acknowledging the depth of their struggle. But James 1:19 calls us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Jude 22 also reminds us to “have mercy on those who doubt.” Doubt is not a sign of failure but an opportunity for mercy and patience.
In that moment, your prodigal doesn’t need a courtroom defense. They need to know you’re a safe place for their questions. Listening well earns the right to speak truth later.
3 Biblical Anchors for Loving a Prodigal Child
As you can imagine, when you love a prodigal, emotions can swing between hope and heartbreak. These anchors will keep you steady in the storm.
1. Truth Without Compromise
In a culture where “truth” shifts with opinion, your doubting friend or relative needs to see the steady anchor of God’s Word. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Holding fast to Scripture doesn’t mean quoting verses as ammunition in every conversation. It simply means living in such a way that your life affirms the truth you profess.
2. Grace Without Conditions
Romans 2:4 reminds us that kindness leads to repentance. Grace without conditions means your prodigal knows they are loved—whether or not they agree with you, attend church, or treat you well.
One father set a plate for his absent son every Sunday, his way of saying, “You’re always welcome here.”
3. Prayer Without Ceasing
Prayer is your active engagement in the spiritual battle for their soul. Luke 18 shows us the persistent widow who never gave up.
I’ve seen hardened hearts soften after years—not days—of steady prayer. One grandmother kept a prayer list in her Bible, noting the date when each was answered. When her grandson returned, she handed him that list. The tears said it all.
Want to raise thriving kids? Learn how to be an intentional parent.
How to Love a Prodigal Child With Your Head, Heart, and Feet
If you want to love your prodigal well, it helps to think beyond just what you say. They need a balanced approach—something that speaks to their mind, touches their heart, and shows up in real, everyday actions.
- Head: Equip the Mind
Many doubting people struggle because they face sharp intellectual challenges with faith. Rather than argue, give them tools. Try watching an apologetics video together or sharing a book like The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel and simply ask, “What do you think?” The goal isn’t to win, it’s to open doors.
- Heart: Strengthen Relationships
People are often drawn back to God when they see faith lived out in real life. Invite your prodigal into environments where they can watch believers who genuinely care for one another. I know a young man who returned to Christ after years away—not because of a powerful sermon, but because he quietly observed a Christian couple treat each other with steady kindness over time.
- Feet: Engage in Service
Working side-by-side to help others can open doors that conversation alone can’t. Ask your struggling friend or loved one to join you in serving at a local establishment or community project. Jesus often opened hearts with acts of service before delivering truth.
When your head, heart, and actions work together, you become a living example that following Jesus is true and good.
Practical Next Steps for Parents of Prodigal Children
If you feel overwhelmed about where to start, please don’t. Small, steady steps can make a big difference in how you love and walk with your loved one. Here are some practical ways you can begin today.
- Pray daily by name for the doubtful person in your life, asking God to reveal Himself.
- Listen without rushing to fix.
- Share stories of God’s faithfulness, especially through hardship.
- Ask good questions instead of giving quick answers.
- Stay engaged in their world—show them you care.
- Live your faith authentically so they see the gospel in action.
Encouragement for Parents of Prodigal Children
Some of history’s greatest Christian leaders—Augustine, John Newton, the apostle Paul—were once prodigals. No one is beyond the reach of God’s saving power.
If you feel weary, hold on to Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
God’s timing is rarely ours. His methods may surprise you, but His love runs deeper than yours, and He will not stop pursuing the one you love. And remember: that same relentless love is chasing after you, too.
Want to go deeper? Listen to the full series Dealing with Doubts and discover how to answer hard questions, strengthen your faith, and walk with those who are struggling.
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Written By
Chip Ingram
Founder & Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge
Chip Ingram is the CEO and teaching pastor of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip has a unique ability to communicate truth and challenge people to live out their faith. He is the author of many books, including The Real God, Culture Shock and The Real Heaven. Chip and his wife, Theresa, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.
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