"My prayers can't override their free will—they have to choose to come back."
How it sounds in your head: You believe in free will. God doesn't override choice. Your child has to WANT to return, and they clearly don't. So your prayers hit a ceiling—the ceiling of their rebellion. You can pray all day, but ultimately it's on them. And they're not choosing God.
"So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.'"
-- Acts 16:31Theological fatalism disguised as respecting free will, limiting prayer's authority.
It sounds theologically sound—God gave free will, so human choice is final. Your prayers can't force what they won't choose.
Saul was ACTIVELY murdering Christians, breathing threats, zealously opposed to Jesus—when a light from heaven knocked him down and Jesus spoke. Saul's free will was heading HARD the wrong direction until God intervened dramatically. Three days later, Saul was preaching Christ.
I REFUSE the lie that my prayers can't impact my child's will. IT IS WRITTEN: believe on the Lord Jesus and your HOUSEHOLD will be saved—not just you, your HOUSEHOLD. Saul was breathing threats against Christians when heaven knocked him off his horse—God is well able to arrange divine encounters that woo free will. IT IS WRITTEN that He works ALL things together for good, orchestrating circumstances, Romans 2:4 kindness, Jeremiah 31:3 lovingkindness that DRAWS. My prayers release angelic activity, Holy Spirit conviction, supernatural appointments. The BARAK blessing over my household means my children are blessed going out and coming in—God's favor is chasing them even when they run. Their will is FREE, and God is brilliantly wooing it home.
The Father isn't stymied by their will—He's the master of the long game, arranging encounters and kindnesses that will melt the hardest heart. Your prayers are partnering with His perfect strategy.