“As mothers, we advocate for our children. We kiss boo-boos, cheer them on from the bleachers and encourage them at the kitchen table. We celebrate their victories and console them on their failures. We defend them, brag about them to our own mothers and occasionally deliver a school assignment forgotten on the bedroom floor. When their spirits leave their connection to ours to pursue a substance, person, lifestyle or seduction, we may eventually find that there is nothing we can do to fix this situation. We learn to pray.” From Just Keep Going; Spiritual Encouragement from the Mom of a Troubled Teen. 
Parents in Prayer
Since our boys were elementary age I was in a Moms in Prayer group with other moms at the same school. We stayed together through middle and high school and couldn’t stop there. We kept meeting and prayed for our kids in college. It was during that time that these faithful women lasered in, asking God to pull Ted up from the pit in which his life resided. I have no doubt that the prayer they invested in him since he was little, stayed in him. For years they heaped on more. Those co-moms in prayer played a huge role in Ted’s recovery. Sniff. They still ask about Ted when I see them. No way they’re leaving my heart anytime soon.
Do you have a group like this at your children’s school? Are you in a group that prays specifically for your son or daughter?
Start Your Own Group
Look or ask around. Who else is suffering with a child abusing alcohol and other drugs? You got yourself a prayer group. Ask your church if such a group already exists. I tried several times to get one going but it just didn’t gel. This summer I decided to try again. Even though my child is in recovery, I still pray for a long list of parents with kids who struggle. So on the third Tuesday of every month from 12-1:00, moms I invited and some who others invited, gather in a prayer room at church and pray for these young people and others in crisis.
This might work better in a home but I wanted a location that was accessible if I couldn’t host it. We can’t miss a month. It’s too important.
We’re from all walks of life, many churches or none at all, but when we sit together with our kids set before our God — we’re one force and it’s powerful. A friend who comes thinks her daughter is vulnerable to abusing alcohol. That’s proactive prayer and I applaud her eagle eye. Last month a man walked by and asked to join. One sweet single mom has two sons on drugs, and one in depression. We pray for her fourth and youngest son’s protection. There are a lot of tears but her faith and gratitude rock me every time.
Oscar Muriu says, “When we work, we work. When we pray, God works.” Yes. Yes He does.