This Thanksgiving Day may every heart find the pathway home. This short prayer has been my constant companion this month. While families will gather around the table to celebrate a Thanksgiving meal, many will have someone missing from their table.

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Some will miss a loved one that has gone to be with the Lord, of that, I am sure. My heart goes out to those – but I am talking about those who have a living loved one missing from the table.  One that, although they are part of the family, for one reason or another, no longer gather around the table to celebrate. Those missing family members do not go unnoticed. Although the festivities continue – it is obvious something, someone, is missing.

These days, there is so much division and conflict in the world. It seems almost everyone has a contrasting view on many of the world or even life issues. Families are not immune to these conflicts. Christian families are not exempt. I personally know several people who have children or grandchildren that they have been separated from for many years.  Family members who have not spoken to one another because of a disagreement. This should not be so.

The good news is the situation does not have to remain that way. All things are possible with God, and nothing is impossible to those who believe. This year, God has put it on my heart to call the prodigals and those who are separated from family back to the family table this Thanksgiving. He is compelling me to faithfully pray that another holiday will not pass before the family unit is complete once again.

Maybe you have a family member like I am talking about. Perhaps it has even been many years since you heard from your child or grandchild, brother, sister, or parent, please know, things can change. I am reminded of when Jesus told Peter to cast his net one more time. Peter had been fishing all night, with no success. I imagine he was exhausted, disappointed, and feeling defeated. Yet, at the word of the Lord, he obeyed. He cast his net one more time and he was so glad he did. That day he brought in the haul of his life.

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink (Luke 5:4-7, NKJV.)

I believe God is saying the same thing to us today. If you have a lost prodigal or a missing family member, call them home, one more time. Cast your net of faith this Thanksgiving and believe God to bring them home, back into a place of unity. How do we do that?

Don’t stop praying and believing.

James 5:16 says, the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. I love how the Amplified Bible translates this verse.

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

Make no mistake about it. Your prayers have great power, and they will go where you cannot go.

Beyond praying, we must continue believing the promises of God.

Matthew 9:29 says, Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

Let’s look at this verse in the Amplified Bible.

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith and trust and reliance [on the power invested in Me] be it done to you.”

And in the New Living Translation. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.”

Because of our faith in the power and promises of God – it will happen if we refuse to give up, this includes restoration in our family and with all our loved ones. God wants unity and love in our family even more than we do.

This holiday season, is someone missing from your table? If so, join me in praying this Thanksgiving Day may every heart find the pathway home.

Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. Her daily inspirational writings are available at www.anewthingministries.com. Photo credit: NA from Photo Images.