The following prayer is taken from Praying for the Dawn: A resource book for the ministry of healing, edited by Ruth Burgess and Kathy Galloway. It is inspired by Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15:11-32.

As we raise our hearts in gratitude this week, I pray God will use this prayer to tend the broken places in your heart and encourage you with the assurance of His unwavering love for you.

Luke 15:13-14

He went to a country far away…and spent everything he had…He was left without a thing.

Beloved God,

with the eagerness of a child you wait for our coming,

with the urgency of a lover, you long for our return,

with the anxious heart of a parent, your arms ache to hold us

and we who would come, restless or reluctant,

weary or wary,

hurting and yet hoping beyond hope

stand still, undecided.

We are drawn by the promise of your kindness

but we are afraid of your disappointment

of your judgement

of your turning away from us.

So many people have let us down

failed to deliver

refused us as we really are.

Are you one more shattered hope?

No one could blame you if you closed your door,

for we too have been the failures, the betrayers, the deniers,

we too have hurt, and hurt and hurt again.

Luke 15:20

But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms round him and kissed him.

O beloved God,

you are still there, still eager,

still waiting patiently with arms wide open.

The disappointment, the judgement, the turning away,

that’s us, not you.

Forgive us and heal us

of all in us that recoils from our common humanity—

all pride, all fear,

all disgust, all shame;

you have given us such worth,

help us to take all creation at your valuation

and to know ourselves precious and loved.

We’re coming home to you.

AMEN

Reflect

Luke 15:1-32

Ponder

How might deep acceptance of God’s love for me help me to forgive others?