I'm worried about my children

Few worries go as deep as worry for a child — a small one who is ill, a teenager who is struggling, a grown son or daughter who has walked away. The Gospels show parents who came to Jesus for their children, and a father in a parable who never stopped watching the road.

And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:20 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

If you are in danger, your safety comes first: contact emergency services (112 in Europe) or a support line now.

Awaiting theological review

What Jesus teaches

Direct
Summary of Luke 15:11–32
In his parable the father runs to meet the son who had gone away: “when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him”.
Direct
Summary of Mark 10:13–16
He was indignant when his disciples turned children away, took them in his arms and blessed them.

What Christian tradition learns from this

History & scholarship

Saint Monica prayed for many years for her son Augustine; he later told the story in his Confessions.

What Jesus did

Jairus' daughter
Mark 5:21–43
Direct
What Jesus experienced
A father whose little daughter was dying, and then the news that she had died.
What Jesus did
He told him not to fear but only to believe; he took the child by the hand and raised her up, and told them to give her something to eat.
A father who could not help his son
Mark 9:16–26
Direct
What Jesus experienced
A father who had watched his son suffer since childhood, and whom the disciples had not been able to help.
What Jesus did
He listened to the father, and when the man cried out with tears, he healed the boy and lifted him up by the hand.
Three days of searching
Luke 2:41–52
Direct
What Jesus experienced
Mary and Joseph searching for three days for their twelve-year-old son.
What Jesus did
When they found him in the Temple, he went down with them to Nazareth and was subject to them.

What Scripture doesn’t tell us

If a child is in danger, being harmed, or thinking of harming themselves, contact the emergency services or a child-protection line now.

Someone who walked this road

Saint MonicaHistorical context
She never stopped praying for her son through his years far from the faith; he became Saint Augustine.
Explore connections →
MaryScripture
She searched for her son for three days, and told him of her sorrow when she found him (Luke 2:48).
Explore connections →

Pray

Father, you ran to meet your son while he was still far off. I place my children in your hands. Protect them where I cannot, bring them home when they are lost, and teach me to love them as you do. I do believe, Lord: help my unbelief. Amen.

Written for cento53 as a simple personal prayer — not a liturgical text.