While God is invisible spirit (John 4:24), the Christian relationship with Him is profoundly real and is based on spiritual presence, not physical sight. God communicates through the infallible authority of His Word (the Bible), and the believer responds through the spiritual discipline of prayer (talking to Him). This relationship is made intimate and personal by the Holy Spirit, who indwells the believer, confirming God's presence and guiding their heart. The ultimate source of certainty is faith (Hebrews 11:1), which anchors us in things unseen.

Dealing with a wayward child requires a Christian parent to balance unconditional love with firm, age-appropriate discipline. The biblical mandate is to raise children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). When children—especially adult children—choose a path of sin or rebellion, the parent’s role shifts from correction to grief, prayerful surrender, and maintaining a faithful, loving witness (Proverbs 22:6). The model is the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son: waiting, watching, and loving unconditionally.  

When adult children reject the Christian faith, the primary biblical response for parents is to move from controlling the outcome to trusting God with the soul. This involves grieving the loss, continuing to model authentic, joyful faith (1 Peter 3:1-2), maintaining unconditional love and relationship, and committing to persistent, humble prayer (1 John 5:14). The focus shifts from correction to being a faithful, available witness to the transforming power of the Gospel.

It is not wrong to pray for financial blessing, provided the prayer is aligned with a right heart posture. The Bible encourages us to ask God for our daily needs (Matthew 6:11) and provides examples of material blessing. However, the prayer must be rooted in trust, prioritize God's glory, and be free from greed (James 4:3). Our ultimate focus should be on spiritual riches, not earthly wealth.