A mother came to me in tears. "I have prayed until I don't know if I can pray anymore," she said. "My daughter has turned away from God, and it seems the more I pray, the more trouble she gets into, and the further away from God she goes. I have carried this load so many years!" She looked at me with sad, weary eyes and asked, "Do you think there is still any hope for her?" I did my best to assure this praying mother there is hope! We discussed Galatians 6:9: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

A few weeks later she asked, "Why hasn't my daughter prayed back through yet? How long do I have to wait?" As we discussed it, she realized, in her frustration, she had missed some small, but very significant, steps of repentance her daughter had taken! While just a few months before, any mention of God or church would cause the daughter to turn away, she had begun to ask for prayer about specific issues in her life. The mother admitted, because she had a dramatic "run to the altar" plan in her mind for her daughter's spiritual restoration, she had not seen the milestones of repentance. We opened the Bible and read: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD...so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Frequently, there are new "victory reports." Her daughter asked for Bible study books. She is praying, and God is answering her prayers. She sent thanks to the church for praying for her. As of this writing, she has not fully come back to God. But every week, we see another victory, another small step, and, most important, there are no steps backward! She continues to move forward, allowing God to work in her life.

If you have ever felt disappointment or frustration in praying for a lost loved one, keep praying and look for the milestones. Remember, if they are backslidden, they did not leave in just one step. It was a path they traveled down, and one they may have to travel back up to complete victory. The "path" may not be what you have planned for that loved one's salvation, but never doubt, since you are praying, God IS doing the work. Ask God to show you the "small" victories. They will be there. He has given us the promise in James 5:16: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Note: Raised a pastor's daughter, and now, as a pastor's wife in SeaTac, Washington, Leah Seagraves has watched through the years the many miracles of restoration God has performed when we pray, step out of the way, and let Him work.

(From: wnop Newsletter - The Milestones of Consistent Prayer By Leah Seagraves)