Finding God in Our Pain

A Mother's Battle Cry for Prodigal Children with Debra McNinch


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SUMMARY:

*The conversation centers around the challenges of parenting, particularly when dealing with prodigal children—those who stray from their upbringing and values.
*The speakers discuss the emotional and spiritual battles parents face, emphasizing the importance of spiritual warfare and maintaining a relationship with God.
*Personal experiences of feeling unprepared for the struggles of raising children, especially as they grow older and make their own choices.
*Debra McNinch shares the battle plan God showed her and reminded parents that the outcome of their children's lives is ultimately in God's hands.
*Forgiveness for moms who struggle with guilt was discussed and Debra shares a 3 point process to use. She reminded listeners the need to accept God's forgiveness and to stand firm in faith, even amidst difficulties.
*The discussion highlights the significance of identity in Christ and the importance of loving children without compromising biblical truths.
*The speakers conclude by promoting a sense of community among parents facing similar challenges and encouraging them to remember that they are not alone in their battles.

PODCAST INTRO:

My guest, Debra McNinch sits down to have an in-depth conversation about prodigal children and we talked about all the ways this affects a mother’s heart. No matter the type of rebellion your child is walking in, addiction, LGBTQ, rebellion of family values, estrangement, cutting off parents has become a huge movement…really any way that we see our children living outside the way they were raised specifically the biblical values that the parent tried to instill.

We talked about guilt and how mom’s and dad’s can find forgiveness vs beating ourselves up over the would’ves, could’ves & should’ves. I’ll put (in the show notes) a quick list of the 3 ways to engage forgiveness but don’t miss out on the message surrounding it because Debra gives much more info in the episode itself.

We looked at shifting the burden that we carry in our heart for our child’s salvation and their entry into heaven because ultimately it’s not our responsibility, it’s God’s job and He is trustworthy to watch over His children. God has a purpose and a plan for your child just like He has one for you.

I beginning to understand that the key is learning how to get behind God to support what God is doing. But I’ll be honest, that is not for the weak hearted because you have to be willing to lay down the illusion we carry with regard to control, we have to address our pride and we have to be willing to cling to God when we see our children struggling through consequences.

We acknowledged that this is spiritual warfare and that Satan is trying his best to not only destroy the family unit but to cut off and destroy generations that belong to our children. Debra shares a strategy for our battle stance to be able to affectively engage and strike down the enemy of our soul.

We may not be responsible for our children’s faith but as Debra says, Love goes to war; so we can certainly stand in the gap and effectively fight the Goliath that is coming after them. Debra’s 5 point battle stance that she shares can also be seen in the show notes but again, she shares much more detail in the episode so don’t miss that bit of gold.

Some of our conversation is based on the belief that if we raise a child in the church and instill biblical values we believe we have a guarantee of their salvation and their pursuit of Christ and heaven’s value system etc. but many of us know that it does not guarantee they will always adhere to those instilled values.

If I had to boil this conversation down to 2 major takeaways, it would be hard but I think I’d side with Debra’s personal battle cry…No one fights alone and also when she said something that I have come to understand more deeply after walking this valley of loosing my husband….”God’s promise isn’t that you’re going to get the perfect outcome. His promise is that He’ll never leave you and that He’s going to walk with you the whole way.” Knowing you’re not alone is a lifeline for the heart.

Near the end of our conversation Debra had me super encouraged as she gave the battle cry for all parents to stand up. For us to fight the lies that culture dictates, and to dismantle the belief that we’re powerless adding that engaging God’s heart in the battle is where our power comes from.

If you’re a parent of a prodigal, Debra offers guidance and hope. You can receive more in-depth instruction in her book, Battle Cry - Waging the Spiritual Battle for Your Prodigal. And you can find encouragement in her support group, Battlecrymoms.com.

Let’s listen in to find hope and understanding on how to engage the power of Christ in order to give God the burden and how we are to stand in agreement with Him.

Live Loved and Thrive!

Sherrie Pilk

3 STEPS TO FIND FORGIVENESS:

- Go to the alter ask God for forgiveness
- Ask your child forgiveness
- Put on the Armor (action) and Stand (in faith) that Christ is going to fight the battle for you.

BATTLE STANCE TO STAND IN THE GAP FOR YOUR CHILD:

- Pick a verse for your child and pray it over their life every day.
- Worship - God inhabits our praise/worship.
- Pray - Acknowledge God’s full authority over your child.
- Speak God’s promises over your child.
- Connect with a supportive Community.

MORE PODCASTS AND/OR BLOGS ON SIMILAR TOPICS:

Does God Care About People in Prison? Ex-Con, Steven Snook Says Yes!: https://alifeofthrive.com/2023/02/15/does-god-care-about-people-in-prison-ex-con-steven-snook-says-yes/
From Bartender, To Nun, to Bartender, to Transformed - God Never Gives Up, with Gina Economopoulos: https://alifeofthrive.com/2024/11/06/from-bartender-to-nun-to-bartender-to-transformed-god-never-gives-up/

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:

Website: https://www.debramcninch.com/
Her Book: https://www.debramcninch.com/battlecrybook
Support Group - there’s a group for moms and there’s a group for dads: https://www.debramcninch.com/battlecry

BIO:

Debra McNinch is a wife, mom, speaker, first-time author, and the founder of the BATTLECRY Prayer Movement—a growing community of parents who are praying their prodigal children back home to Jesus.

She loves photography, working on her photo farm, and sharing life with  Steve, her husband of 33 years, two sweet puppies: Poppy the Berne Doodle and Dodger the Miniature Schnauzer. She is also the faithful feeder of Butters, the neighborhood stray cat.

Debra’s favorite things are Jesus, coffee, cupcakes, and glitter (in that order!). She collects vintage junk, anything sparkly, and more Sharpies than one person needs. She takes pride in learning a new skill each year and gets through life by leaning on God’s Word—and a little humor. She especially loves when the two collide.

Born and raised in Winfield, Kansas, home to Bluegrass and Burger Station, Debra has moved nine times to six different states. Each move brought her closer to God and connected her with lifelong friends.

In Fall 2024, Debra released her first book with CrossRiver Media, sharing her family’s story and how it led to a powerful prayer movement for prodigals. She writes and speaks to encourage parents to keep praying and keep believing—because prodigals are coming home.

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Finding God in Our PainBy Sherrie Pilkington

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