Buy The Prodigal Writes From His Heart
Below you will find a sampling of testimonies from standers and prodigals that will encourage you in how God is moving in their lives.
Each Saturday in Charlyne Cares we publish testimonies from people around the world. You can subscribe to Charlyne Cares by visiting charlyne.org. You can submit your own testimony by visiting our testimony submission page!
"I felt a heavy burden to pray for my husband as if he needed me. I texted him and told him what I was feeling and that I was praying for him. He texted me back that he is having problems with the other person. I assured him I would be praying for both of them. God is so faithful. He knew I needed encouragement and he showed me He is working in my husband's life." (State Removed)
“Dear standers, Praise be to our King Jesus. I'm in awe of God's preciseness and faithfulness in the way he handles issues. Another court hearing was adjourned. I had thought that surely by now this war would be over, and my marriage on the road of restoration but God has made it clear that I should wait for His perfect time. If you’re out there wondering when God will come through....the good news is that He has already come through. (Daniel10:12) Only persist in prayer and patience and wait for your appointed time. Allow God to do a complete work in you and your prodigal spouse/child. It will be worth the wait. (Ecclesiates3:11). You shall come forth as gold. (Job23:10)” (Uganda)
“I was about to give up. My husband and I have been separated for months with little contact. We got together to sign tax returns. He told me how much I had changed and said that he wanted my counselor's number so he could be happy too. I told him the Lord has changed me. He also said he wanted to go to church on Easter Sunday with me and said that he has told everyone that he believes our marriage will work out. I am so in shock. Praise God. Every time I've seen my husband I've fasted and prayed all day the day before. The Lord keeps His promises.” (California)
“When my husband and I married, we only had a covenant ceremony. Since we lived far from our families, we planned on having our legal ceremony soon after, with everyone invited. His family said God did not recognize our marriage, as we had not wed in a civil court. This prompted confusion in my husband's heart, as he has always been a godly man. He stopped recognizing me as his wife. Heartbroken and ashamed, I asked God if he really recognized the covenant we made. God continually gave me the same scripture when I asked. Romans 3:30. I never understood it until today, when again, I asked. In the scripture he reveals that he loves and justifies both the circumcised and uncircumcised. He created both and he sees them as one. To God, marriage is marriage, one is not better than the other. He created both, He justifies both. Praise God for settling my shame. I am now a stander, and pray that one day my husband will call me the joy of his heart, and his wife once again.” (Florida)
"I am praising God as He laid it upon my prodigal's heart to call and check on me. We were without power after a wind storm hit our area. The next day he called back to see if I needed help with clean up. He came and helped me for hours. Praise to God." (Kentucky)
"A couple nights ago I asked the Lord to show me if my husband still cared. I called my attorney. He informed me that I am still married and that time has been pushed back because my husband stopped communication with his attorney. Afterwards I went to a grocery store to get potatoes for dinner. The first potato I grasped was shaped like a heart. God is great." (California)
“I want to praise the Lord even though my marriage has not been restored. In this time of year, when it is hardest to stand, I praise Him. This morning I asked God to open my eyes to see all His blessings for me. God is so good! He started out by opening up a beautiful relationship between me and my niece. I got several other signs driving to work and He healed me from a bad cold. Can you say God is good?! In my spirit I heard God telling me that if I don't praise Him the rocks will cry out. This lead me to Luke 19:37-40! I'm praising You Lord because I don't want the rocks to cry out. Praise the Lord!” (Florida)
“PTL! After weeks of no communication, and months of negative communication, my husband called me out of the blue. During the call he was sweet and funny. I have learned that the secret is to trust Him. He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? Romans 8:32 (AMP).” (New York)
"Today is my anniversary. After a period of separation, our marriage was restored. My husband is leading music in our church and leads our family in nightly devotions. We still have a long way to go, but I have faith that the Lord will continue to work in both of us to bring us closer to Him and to each other." (Texas)
Read more testimonies of restored marriages at http://rejoiceministries.org/restored.php
“In September, 2012, I filled out a prayer request to send to Rejoice Marriage Ministries for a job; I needed a full-time job with benefits. What I didn’t know was that I never mailed it. I found it this week while cleaning out some papers and opened the envelope to find the request. It was dated September 12, 2012. My new job? Well that happened September 24, 2012. Praise the Lord for answering the request so quickly.” (Georgia)
"My husband divorced me but I'm thankful we have remained friendly. Friday was my birthday and my husband called me that morning to let me know he could take me to lunch. After lunch, he told me that he had ordered a present for me and he would bring it to me soon. The fact that my husband called me, took me to lunch and got me a present is simply the work of God." (Kentucky)
"My husband came to get the children for the weekend and took them to a movie. My husband thought 'Fireproof' looked good, so they bought tickets. On the way out of the movie, our kids said that they told him that was the movie that mom has been praying he would go and see. Keep working behind that mountain, Lord." (Michigan)
"My husband married the other woman. He sent me a text apologizing for lying and cheating. He said he knows he hurt me and our child and asked me to forgive him. I told him I already had and was still standing for the restoration of our covenant marriage. He replied that he was miserable; his wife was distant and not treating him like she did in the beginning. I know God is softening his heart and drawing him to repentance. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!" (Tennessee)
"I was in court in May without a paid attorney. God gave me strength and courage. The judge ruled in my favor and God was victorious. I will not have to go to court for a trial. I give the Lord all praise and honor for HE truly is faithful. Wait on the Lord and HE will see you through your trials." (Virginia)
"Praise God! My wife emailed me yesterday and asked for forgiveness and asked if I would be willing to fix our marriage. I am so blessed. God has moved in her life and replaced that heart of stone with a heart of flesh. He filled it with love and gained yet another victory over satan. It is still a long road but God has paved the way. Thanks Rejoice Ministries. You have been a blessing through this storm." (Iowa)
"To God be the praise and glory. As I continue with my stand God has been using my church family to confirm that He hears my prayers and that He will heal my marriage. Over the past few weeks I have had people, including my Pastor's wife, telling me that God has been speaking to them about standing with me for my husband's salvation and our marriage. My faith has been strengthened." (Botswana)
“Praise God! As I was driving on a short business road trip this past weekend, the Lord allowed me to see 14 Covenant Transport trucks! This was confirmation as it symbolized each year of marriage, plus one. Thus, despite my husband's recent decisions, I can trust, believe, rest and stand on the assurance of God's Word that He IS A COVENANT KEEPER!” (New Mexico)
“Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:4-5
“PTL! The November court date was postponed to December, and now the December date was postponed until mid-January! The courtroom prayers have been very powerful. I had two other miracles the same day I received news of the second postponement, providing funds to pay my lawyer and then a much-needed check to pay living expenses. God alone is supporting the children and I financially day by day while protecting us in every way! Thank you everyone for all the prayers and thank you RMM for the teachings and resources to grow our faith through such difficult times.” (California)
“I am giving God thanks. My daughter and I have not heard from my spouse in some time. I was getting very discouraged and frustrated with my very long stand. This morning as my heart was bleeding with sadness, the Lord told me to visit Rejoice Ministries. I did and wanted to send a prayer request, when He told me to listen to a testimony. I logged on to aconference call and listened for over two hours to the story of a restored marriage. I told the Lord I really missed my husband. I was very encouraged after the conference call and a few minutes after it ended, guess who called me? My darling husband. It was great hearing his voice. I got the opportunity to tell him that we miss him and that I love him. God is really great. Keep believing standers. God is on our side.” (Jamaica)
"Sunday night was our church’s presentation of our Christmas Night of Praise. As the pastor was making his closing remarks he said that the gift of God was our eternal salvation and abundant life to accept or deny. He then said that lives will be changed and that marriages can and will be restored if we submit to the Lord's call." (Tennessee)
"Last Thanksgiving I had received the court date of my divorce. This Thanksgiving my in-laws invited me to spend Thanksgiving with them and my spouse with his approval. I thank God for making it possible for me to spend Thanksgiving day and the next with my spouse. I see evidence that God is softening my spouse's heart." (Ohio)
"God has taught me to praise Him in the midst of the storm throughout my stand. He is doing some amazing things and I am so thankful. My covenant husband invited me to share Easter at his mom's and we attended church together as a family. PTL! This weekend he and our oldest son are on a fishing trip. Communication between them has been difficult over the past year or so...but God is at work and I am expecting good things to come. On top of this, I received a beautiful Mother's Day card from my wonderful covenant husband with a sizeable check inside. Wow...it blew me away! I can use this to pay off some bills that I wondered how I was going to pay. God knows our need and He will provide! Never give up hope for at the right time, God will answer." (New York)
"After months of my standing, praying and fasting, my husband called to say he was ending his affair and had nowhere else to go. I offered the couch and he eventually took the offer. He is still confused, not understanding why or how I am able to love him unconditionally. I have faith God is taking care of everything and our family will be restored. Nothing is impossible for God." (Florida)
"A relative who recently left her husband was at our family Christmas with her new boyfriend. I did not know he would be there until I arrived. I held back tears all morning. All I could see was my husband and the other person. Then I started to notice all his awkwardness and remembered Bob's teaching about our prodigals being uncomfortable. I have taken this as encouragement that my husband is not at ease and is not having fun. Thanks to Bob and to my Lord for this surprise encouragement." (Australia)
“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27
“This testimony is about the decision to stand for my marriage after almost three decades of divorce. I saw my prodigal at our son's wedding last July; the sparks were reignited as first demonstrated by my prodigal. After much wrestling with my thoughts and unforgiveness, I found your website. It became my prayer. I hope my next testimony is about total marriage restoration. I’ve decided to order a ring that will represent that until my husband returns to me, the Lord will be my husband; it will tell others that I'm not a single available woman; and it will remind me of my commitment to Christ and my stand for our marriage restoration.” (Colorado)
“New Years Eve, I knelt down beside my bed and cried out to God about praying for my marriage. I had become discouraged and tired. I asked God first if there was anything hindering my prayers being heard and if so reveal them to me. I asked for comfort and reassurance. The next day I had to pick up my daughter from where she had spent the week. I was listening to my Christian music and praising God, when all of the sudden I looked up to change lanes and there in front of me was a Convent Transport truck. I cried and said, ‘Thank You, Lord.’ I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I now feel that I am obeying and trusting Christ just like I should be. I don't talk to my prodigal ever but I sent him a message wishing him a Merry Christmas and that I loved him and was praying for him. It was the first time he has replied to me in a long time.” (Louisiana)
"My sister, who recently started supporting my stand, returned from a trip. She called and said she needed me to see something. When I got to her house she handed me a picture that she had taken of a car parked in New Jersey. Its license plate said 'Standing.' I wondered if the car belongs to a fellow stander." (South Carolina)
“Over the summer my husband and I had a court hearing for a non-contested divorce which ended up being dropped by the grace of God! About a month before the hearing, he started hanging out weekly on visitation days and continues to even though he has since moved in with the OW. Despite how it looks in the natural, I know God is working. I hold firm to hope and stand on His promises. God designed marriage and He hates divorce. Our suddenly is on its way. It is always darkest before dawn. I'm so thankful for the time we spend together and the opportunity to be the wife God has called me to be and the light of Jesus. My husband has told be several times over the past few months that he's so proud of the changes he sees in me. I know he is seeing Jesus through me.” (Ohio)
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:20-21
“Praise the Lord for His reminders of love. The day after Christmas was my birthday. The pop up daily verse on my phone was John 3:16-17. Yes, the Lord gave us the ultimate gift. In addition. Bob's devotion on Christmas Toys rang true in my heart and prepared me for the day ahead. I did not hear from my spouse, but the Lord had me celebrate my special day with my mother-in-law, sister- in-law, my two daughters, my mom, my sister and my best friend. The women in my life made it special. The other verse the Lord gave me that day was John 14:27 about peace. I had such a peace all day from our Lord. I pray next year my spouse will be home for my birthday, but in the meantime I'm thankful for everything the Lord did to make it special.” (California)
"'Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!’ Luke 1:45. While taking my daughter to visit my husband, he asked me if I wanted to move in together again. It was ‘suddenly’ because we had not talked about moving in together at all. After almost two years apart we are taking steps toward restoration. GOD is faithful.” (Illinois)
“I have finally realized and am joyful of the fact that my marriage really did have to die. I spent many years being angry, bitter, resentful etc. toward my husband and even though I gave my life to the Lord, my behavior was more like the children of Israel in the wilderness, continually complaining and wanting to go back to my Egypt of captivity. Even though I was being rebellious towards God, He was being patient and faithful towards me. God has done such a work on me that I now truly do cast ALL my cares onto Him. I forgive quickly and regularly, zip my lips, love the unlovable, pray for the OW as well as the Sanballat and Tobias's (in Jeremiah Chapters 2, 4, & 6) of our marriage and thank God throughout the day. (United Kingdom)
"After a few false starts I can say my husband is home. The situation looked impossible, but God does answers prayer in His perfect timing. Thank You Jesus." (South Africa)
“Last week, my uncle died and I was to share the Word of God at the funeral service. Every morning I had prayed that my spouse would come to the funeral and that God would give me words that would console my aunt, speak to my cousin (he is an unbeliever) and appeal to my husband. This morning I prayed for the last time that my husband would come. I said, ‘Lord for you, anything is possible even at the last minute.’ My husband did come, late, but in time, so he could hear the Word of God. I used 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, about unconditional love. That was something I wanted to tell my husband for a long time, but God's Word has more power. After the funeral my aunt came to me and said that she was comforted by the Word of God and at the grave of my uncle I saw my cousin praying.” (Germany)
"Praise God for His faithfulness. As I read about Bob's condition, I thought the best news I could share is the restoration of my marriage. My husband is home and we are waiting for his divorce to the non-covenant to be posted as final, so we can apply for our marriage license. It has been very difficult, but God's faithfulness, mercy, and love was always present. I 'got on with my life' by seeking God and serving Him as He led. I was able to go on mission trips, open my home to others, and be available to help my family. Many people did not understand, but to God be the glory." (Maryland)
"A few months ago my husband was filing for divorce. Although I know the lawyer has the paper work ready for a couple of weeks, I still have not been served. I think the Lord is working on my husband's heart. I keep praying for him and for our marriage. God is faithful." (Montana)
“Praise God I found RMM early in my stand some months ago. My children come to visit me two nights a week. I am not in our home, but I would go home in a second if my beloved spouse would forgive me and invite me home. My younger children are all desiring my return and our visits are bittersweet. I was discouraged last week and felt I could not hear God in the wind or the circumstance that seem so overwhelming. The kids and I went out to play ball while their dad watched. I turned as the kids said, ‘Look Mom.’ There behind us was a huge rainbow stretching across the sky in God's brilliance. Thank you Jesus for providing a sign to me for our family being restored in Your still small voice and beautiful rainbow. My husband also came off the porch and played ball with us for a while. Thank You Jesus! I am standing for Your restoration of our marriage.” (Colorado)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
"Today is our silver wedding anniversary. Although my prodigal is still in the far country I believe the Lord is working and bringing about conviction in my husband. I celebrate with the Lord knowing that He is upholding our wedding covenant made so many years ago. To God be the glory for the things He is doing. This week the Lord reminded me of the parable of the persistent widow he gave me years ago, reminding me to not give up. I thank God for the return of one of our prodigal sons. One to go and then my husband." (Pennsylvania)
"My wife and I have been separated for many months and have not spoken except business email. I have been in prayer every day, including a men's prayer team every morning, praying the Lord would soften my wife’s heart. I asked God to allow my wife to say happy birthday to me. The Lord answered my prayer as I got up this morning to an email from my wife wishing me a happy birthday. I can see God is working in both our lives." (Idaho)
"I have not had contact with my sons-in-law for some time. I asked the Lord for a sign that both of my daughters' marriages would be restored. I opened up my email and found an electronic airline ticket that was booked by my son-in-law. The airline had my email listed under my son-in-law's name from years back. The electronic ticket was sent to me by mistake. I was able to see that my son-in-law is flying back to our home city." (State removed due to nature of testimony.)
“Standing is agonizing for me, and I frequently ask the Lord to speak to me. He is my lifeline. I was at a concert last night, and I asked the Lord to send someone to me with a message from Him, during intermission. At intermission, no one approached me, so I was playing on my phone. I had one message on Facebook, from a distant acquaintance who I rarely chat with: ‘We’re being forged for a purpose, for something bigger than we can imagine right now.’ God is good. I know that He will ‘restore to me the years that the locust has eaten.’ (Joel 2:25a) And He will receive every ounce of the glory, because I would never be able to bring my husband home through my own efforts. I adore my husband, I forgive him, I long for him, and I will stand.” (Colorado)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
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