First, let me begin with compassion as the response in relation to a missing daughter. We must have the understanding from God, how He must feel when we stray as His children from him in our sin. Then we know who He is and what we must also be like dialoguing with God. This compassionate understanding of human nature, sorrow for her absence, and hope that she may return is the essence of God and our response.
However, based on the information given, there were problems within the relationship. The father's role is not biblical from a few aspects. First, we must not withhold good from our family when it is in our power. How much more when a child is in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Secondly, we are not to cause any of these little ones to sin by causing them to stumble.
So first we must get the father on the right path. As we respond, lets us3 pray. Father, I ask that this relationship with Gaweth and his daughter be first with the focus on the daughters' salvation and her return to the family with a renewed relationship. Let us grant Gaweth with spiritual conviction and guidance according to the scriptures.
Now let us address Gawath's withholding of his blessings from his daughter. Let us not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. Do not say to your neighbor Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you.
Also let us address the issue of control in the relationship. There is a large difference between control and authority. Per the scriptures, it is unclear where Gaweth has usurped authority to control, over the spiritual guidance outlined in the Lord's principles. Children are called to be obedient as a form of honor to the parents. However, let us remember that parents do not own their children. They are lent to us for a season as a blessing from God, and we have a spiritual responsibility to be a testament to Jesus Christ and to look after the best interests of the child even if they do not see them equally as an adult. In this, Gaweth must closely evaluate per the fruits of the spirit if he is governing in Christ's love, or merely in self preservation of his ego and of control. Our wisdom must be evident to our children by our testimony, love and honor in our guidance.
Therefore, you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to give to your fathers. It is a blessing that parents have provided many things to their children, and that they may turn them back to God.
Yet, the current situation could be much worsened if the daughter in return believes that there has been a strong rebellion by the father against her in terms of ungratefulness for her presence in his life. So the father must respect his daughter also. He must be fair to her in these aspects. Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back (Proverbs 29:11). To this mercy and love we must offer ourselves to the Lord in our moments of difficulty with others. Because the Lord is merciful, with cleansing there is room for a renewed relationship on a stronger spiritual foundation.
When we walk in the Lord, we are to address family issues by discussing them in the context of the advice by the honor of the Lord. Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:20).
Gawath's focus from the beginning should have been on his daughters' salvation, and the rest would have been given. By this we mean she, knowing Jesus, can be guided by the spirit if her father has not been able to provide resolution to their turmoil. Unbelievers, of course, need to be introduced to Jesus Christ, and then the healing of theтами family can begin. This could be at the heart of the family destruction even when it is not apparent.
In terms of Gaweth's daughters' absence, her whereabouts are not unseen by God, per Jesus' teaching. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:29). Therefore as Jesus said if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22).
Let us provide the Prayer of Jabez, as Gaweth must support his daughter remotely in intercessory prayer and consider fasting until God intervenes. Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested, (1 Chronicles 4:10).
Let us pray. Father, son, and holy spirit. We plead for this daughters' return, as the parable of the prodigal son. Standing with Gaweth, we ask that you bless this family and work a miracle in reuniting them. We ask, withholding nothing, that Jesus may reveal himself to the daughter and they may walk in harmony. That this daughter may know God intimately, return to the safekeeping and blessing of her father. That this father may renew his path of life in Jesus Christ with a humbled, repentant, and renewed heart as a sign of his love to you and his daughter. That this daughter may bend her knees to You to save her, and then to honor her father and his guidance as he is guided by the word. Lastly that Gaweth, being made humble, may provide the necessary testimony to restore this relationship in love, honor, and glory to God. Wipe away her tears of disappointment, renew her family under the protection of Jesus Christ once again. In Jesus' name, offering all glory to God.
Let us close on the note that Gaweth must rejoice when his daughter returns, and forget any past wrongs that tempt a rise within him. Love her unconditionally as God loves us. In this love we must value our relationships, thus keeping the commandments. To be a testament, then God will honor us. This is the amazing and wonderful love that comes from above, and God will honor this. Then we will see a harvest of goodness in our families lives.