My Daughter is Missing, Please Help Me!

"The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless." — Billy Graham

I remember one Christmas when we were at a particular store in the mall. Our two older boys were waiting for us in the car, while we had our three younger children with us. As we walked along, my daughter, who I believe was around four or five at the time, was completely fascinated by the floor. It was multicolored, and she was determined to step only on a certain color, skipping over the others.

The store we were in had an access door to the mall as well as doors leading directly outside. After finishing our shopping, we headed out through one of the exterior doors. It was only once we were outside that we realized—our daughter was not with us. Panic struck instantly.

At that moment, our older boys joined us in the frantic search back inside the store. Though only seconds had passed, she was nowhere to be seen. My heart sank. Having already lost one daughter to death, my mind immediately leaped to the worst—was I about to lose another to kidnapping? The fear was overwhelming.

We quickly alerted the store employees, and they immediately began searching as well. Although it probably wasn’t very long, it felt like an eternity before one of the workers came around the corner, carrying her in their arms. What an indescribable relief it was to see her! I can’t even explain the flood of emotions I felt in that moment.

It turned out that she had been so focused on following the colored squares that she hadn’t noticed when we turned to leave. She had continued straight ahead, only realizing we were gone when she finally looked up. Scared and unsure of what to do, she had hidden among the clothes racks—explaining why we couldn’t find her.

She learned her lesson well. For years after that, she stayed extremely close to me in stores, often gripping a piece of my clothing so tightly that I could hardly move to shop.

A Spiritual Parallel

Do you know someone who is lost spiritually? Maybe you feel a sense of panic, unsure of what to do. It might be a loved one or a friend, and you recognize that they are in a lost condition—a true life-or-death situation. They have been kidnapped by the devil, and your heart aches to bring them back.

There is One, Jesus Christ, who loves them even more than you ever could. He alone can reach their hearts, but you do have a role to play in their journey back to Him.

1. Live a Christlike Life

One of the most powerful things you can do is to live a life that truly reflects Christ.

Many people are turned away from Christianity because of hypocrisy. This does not mean you must be perfect—you will make mistakes—but the overall direction of your life should be one of unwavering obedience and love for Christ. Those who are lost need to see genuine love in you, a love that remains steadfast despite their choices. When the opportunity arises to share the love of God, they will be more likely to listen because they have already seen Jesus in you.

2. Pray for Them

Prayer is critical. Be specific in your prayers.

God does not force anyone to choose Him, but your prayers allow Him to work in ways that He otherwise could not. Pray earnestly for their hearts to be softened. Pray that you will have wisdom in how to interact with them and that God will protect them from the enemy’s grasp.

3. Be a Listening Ear

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is to simply listen.

They may say things that shock you, but resist the urge to react in horror or judgment. Instead, just listen and love them where they are. The more they share, the more specific your prayers can be. Listening opens doors for trust and future opportunities to share Christ.

A Prayer for the Lost

Dear Father,
Guide us as we reach out to those we love. We need Your wisdom and strength. I pray that You will protect those who are lost from the evil one as we continue to love and work with them. Help us to live lives that draw them to You.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Stay Close to Jesus

To truly help those who are lost, you must stay close to Jesus yourself. When you reflect His love so clearly, those who are searching will see Jesus through you and know that He truly loves them.

Love you all.

Share your thoughts with me—what has helped you guide others spiritually?