Nothing breaks a parent's heart more than living with a disobedient child. After investing so much time parenting with godly values as well as teaching academics within a loving home environment, parents of distance learning students are especially discouraged when their children refuse to live according to God's Word.
The life of Samson in the Old Testament is a prime example of a disobedient child with behavior problems. Although his parents had spent time raising him according to the Levitical laws of a Nazirite, a life that was to be disciplined, holy, and pure, Samson's life was far from righteous. Following a path of sinful pleasures that led him far from God and his parents, Samson eventually suffered blindness and slavery as a consequence of his sin. Thankfully, Samson did repent, and God renewed his strength one final time to destroy the Philistines who had tried to destroy him (Judges 13-16).
Is your house in turmoil because one of your children has chosen the wrong path? Do you lie awake at night and pray that God will honor Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it?" If so, don't stop praying for his heart to come back to the Lord. Your intercessory prayers do make a difference against the evil that would destroy your child. Intercede for your child's soul in the powerful name of Jesus and the blood He gave on the cross. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)
Jesus,
I don't know what to do for my disobedient child. All I can see today is the pain he is causing our family. Open my eyes to see the battle for his soul, and use me to intercede in prayer. Thank You for the victory that only You can give. In Your precious name, Amen.