My parents when I was growing up (like 40 years ago) were struggling. My mother sort of believed but my dad was a drunk, at least on weekends, like every weekend.
We were messed up and it was only getting worse.
My mother said, one day he (dad) will have his last drink, it may be when
they bury him but he will have his last drink.
It was that dark.
My dad, fighting, jail time, drinking and driving (it was bad to do it back then but in Canada where I am now, they throw the book at you today if you do it). Anyway, they were talking divorce.
The problem we have is we don't trust GOD.
We seem to be more holy than HE is trying to get someone saved with more determination than HE has. We seem to "want it" more than HE (GOD) does.
But one problem - we can't save anybody, we can't even save ourselves!
Last time I checked there is ONE Saviour and there is no other.
Pray and leave the results (where ever they lay, in GODs hand).
Love as best as you can, speak a word in season (don't nag) but when opportunity arrises give them a word but make sure its GRACE because if GOD isn't condemning then why should you be? They already feel empty and miserable inside.
One day my Dad comes home on a Friday, when he usually would go out and get wasted.
and asked "what do christian men do generally on a Friday night?"
From that moment on, the prodigal had his senses return and he instantly stopped drinking and became the dad (to me) and husband to my mom now 40 years later, they just celebrated their 50 year anniversary and they are together living life and enjoying each other and others too.
GOD took our darkness and put us into light, and took our mourning and made us dance.
HE saves the alcoholic the destitute, the loser, the divorced, the bad-parent, the prodigal son/daughter and the rejected and addict - because HE loves them.
Start seeing them saved already, count it as a fact.
Leave GOD to do what only HE can do.
-eric