David,

From one David to another.

I Know you have heard all the possible encouragement before, and intercessory prayer before, so I will choose to take a different approach.

My personal testimony is very similar to your Daughters. I was brought up in a Christian household, taught the bible since I was four, and attended church two to three times a week. Yet when I became older, I rebelled, delving into drugs, alcohol, and all kinds of worldly behaviour. At the age of 22, I thought my parents were old fashioned, crazy, and out of touch with the modern world. We argued constantly. I could not stand to be with them, and moved out.

They said; "go". They let go, and Let God deal with me....and he most certainly has ever since. As an adult, with children of my own, I now understand how hard that was for them to do. I also came to realize how much they were a part of me. The very fabric of who I am is from their diligence and perseverence with regard to teaching the gospel to me. And without this experience of me rebelling, and then returning to Christ, as a prodigal, I would never have learned to appreciate the godly sacrifices made by my parents, and Christ himself on the cross for me.

I am grateful to this day, though, that I got to tell this to my parents before they passed away. That their efforts were not in vain, and that when they let go of me, God made his prescence known in my life. This is when my personal walk with Jesus began in earnest. I do not know your daughters particulars, but from what I gathered, she was saved as a child, as was I. But each child when they reach the age of accountability, has to make this decision for themselves, because that decision as child was not based on free will, but rather to please the parents, peers, church elders, and mentors. That decision is not made until that child has discovered the emptiness of what the world has to offer, and there is much pain involved in this for them, and for the parents.

My advice then to you, is something I am sure you have heard in your search for answers. "Let go, and let God". Who God Loves, he will discipline, and draw near to him. Believe this with faith, continue to pray, earnestly. Let her know that when she is ready you will be there for her, and will love her all the same. She is a sinner, yet we all are. No sin is worse than another. Jesus reached out and preached to prostitutes, tax collectors, and lepers. The "sacrifice he desires is a contrite heart and a broken spirit" These were the Words used by David, our shared namesake, when he was confronted with the sin of bathsheba. He lost his firstborn child with her, which was painful, Yet God blessed him and her with his future heir, Solomon. Rahab was a prostitute, yet from her was born David and Jesus. What you need to understand, is that God is in control. There is something to learn by both parent and child in all of this.....Reliance on a living God, who Loves both you and your daughter.

 

True repentence cannot happen, nor true appreciation for the work you've done in raising her until she reaches that point in her life where she realizes that she is not in control, But God is.

 

I do not know if this helps, But that is my experience. Hate the sin, Love the sinner, for though her sin is "ugly" by the churches standards, it is no uglier than a little white lie, or rude comment. Which if we are honest, we all commit. They are all grievous by God's standards.

 

I Join you in your prayers, That God may reach out to her, and draw her to Him. May she come to dwell in His arms, as the child of her heavenly father, And May he continue to care for her when you cannot. "The Lord bless you and Keep you [David]; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord LIFT UP his countenence upon you and GIVE YOU PEACE." (Numbers 6:24-26) Amen

 

The prayer quoted above is the Aaronic blessing over the people of Israel. Pray this prayer for her as well. God bless.

David