"Is there any area of our lives in which we need comfort and hope more than in our parenting? Paul Mallard gives us sound biblical guidance, practical wisdom, and enough hope to keep praying for our children, whether they are walking with Jesus or not." -- Michael Jensen (Rector, St. Mark's Darling Point, Sydney; author, The Lost Art of Living Well)
"Paul Mallard has drawn on decades of pastoral experience to provide practical wisdom for parents in pain. Writing with biblical conviction and compassionate understanding, Paul addresses the problems parents of prodigals face and the questions they ask. Highlights for me include Paul’s application of 1 Corinthians 13 to loving rebellious children; his ten ways to pray for unconverted loved ones; his exhortation that ‘we must not let our unsaved children drive a wedge between ourselves and our spouses’; his counsel on relating to loved ones who experience same-sex attraction and gender confusion; and his affirmation that the strong bond of parental love is a reflection of the love of God, which never lets his people go. I was helped by reading this book and quickly thought of others to whom I’d like to pass it on. I expect you will find the same." -- Colin S. Smith (Pastor Emeritus, The Orchard; President, Open the Bible (openthebible.org))
"As a redeemed prodigal and now a parent myself, I found Paul’s words to be grace-filled, practically helpful and full of hope. Regardless of the stage of life, When Children Walk Away will spur on and encourage every Christian parent longing to see their child’s life redeemed by the power of Jesus." -- Sarah Walton (Author, Hope When It Hurts)
"Every now and again, a book is written which makes me think to myself, ‘Why wasn’t this written years ago?’ This is one of those. It’s a subject that is constantly relevant because it’s a topic that is always painful, difficult, distressing and confusing. Paul writes with a pastor’s loving wisdom, a preacher’s clear communication and a theologian’s faithful understanding. Every church member is going to benefit from this volume: it’s for those directly affected by the sadness of unbelieving children and grandchildren; and it’s for every believer as we stand with hurting brothers and sisters. Above all, while grounded in biblical reality, Paul offers us all hope: ‘The arm of the Lord is not too short to save’ (Isaiah 59:1)." -- Adrian Reynolds (Head of National Ministries, FIEC UK)
“In every congregation, faithful disciples are wrestling with the painful heartache of unbelieving children. With a tender tone but not avoiding difficult topics, Paul Mallard provides faithful pastoral counsel, full of the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus. There is help here not only for parents in pain but also for those seeking to support them, and those who pray for wandering prodigals.” -- Jonathan Prime (Director for London, FIEC)
