Someone asked:
“What about parents who missed it? Those who didn’t raise their children in the way of the Lord, but are now saved? Their children are grown, and they realize this is where they failed. Is it too late? Can anything still be done?”
This is one of the most heartfelt questions a parent can ask, and one God is not afraid of.
My Thoughts
First off, it’s never too late for a person to come to God.
As long as there is the breath of God in a man’s lungs, he can still come to Him. There is no age limit on salvation. There isn’t a timeline within which redemption expires. God’s invitation doesn’t close once a person grows older.
It might be more difficult as a person ages because now you’re dealing with walls in the mind, years of pain, logic, disappointment, or unbelief, but it is never impossible with God. The same God who reached the thief on the cross in his final moments (Luke 23:42–43) is still reaching hearts today.
If people with no Christian heritage can come to know Christ, then surely the children of believing parents are not beyond His reach, no matter how long it takes. What matters most is that now, as a parent, you are ready to partner with God for their salvation.
And here’s something you may not have realized: God is even more interested in seeing your children saved than you are.
Your partnership with Him in praying, loving, and interceding for your children is of significant importance to God. Scripture says, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). This is one of the reasons He is slow to anger, He gives men time to turn back to Him.
Because of how much older your children are, you will likely need to pray more than you talk, although you must still speak. No child is ever too old to be guided, corrected, or loved into truth. If that were not so, God would not have expected Eli to call his sons to order (1 Samuel 2:22–25).
But let’s begin with the first and most important step: you must be saved first.
It is nearly impossible to lead a person to a God you have never met. You cannot give what you don’t have. Once you have received salvation, allow God’s transformative power to work deeply and quickly in you. Let your change be undeniable. Let your life become the evidence that preaches louder than your words.
The Bible says, “Even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives” (1 Peter 3:1–2). Though written in the context of marriage, this principle holds true here as well. Many have been drawn to God simply by observing the life of a genuine believer, their humility, gentleness, and virtue. A transformed life is one of the most powerful sermons ever preached.
When your children see the peace, humility, and love that now define you, they will not be able to ignore it. They will marvel at the God who changed Mama or Papa so much. The last thing you want to do is teach one thing and live another. Hypocrisy hardens hearts, but authentic transformation softens them.
Then talk.
Talk to them about Christ whenever you have the opportunity. Share your testimony. Send messages of encouragement. Love them through the Word. And then pray. Pray again. Pray even more.
Be patient with the process. Seeds take time to grow. Do not despise small signs of softening or change. Remember, you were once far too and grace found you.
Keep loving like God Do not withdraw your love or warmth. Even if they resist you, keep your arms open. Love is often the last bridge standing when words have failed.
The hearts of kings and princes are in God’s hands (Proverbs 21:1); how much more your children?
Remember, God never stops pursuing your children. What He began in you, He intends to continue through you. Your prayers can go where your words cannot, and your example can speak where your history once failed.
Read
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)
“I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten.” (Joel 2:25)
