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Intention

The parable of the prodigal son is a model of God’s desire for revival and reconciliation

Scripture

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:20-24

Reflection

Nineteen years ago, I was hopeless, broken, addicted to ice, and trying to take my own life. Then a friend told me that God loves me. I told her that I didn’t believe in God. When she invited me to church, I yelled that if I walked into the church I would catch on fire. She left, and I was left wondering why I was afraid of a God that I didn’t believe in. In that moment, I realised that God was real, and maybe He could help me.

That night I went to the church. When the preacher began telling the story of the prodigal son, I felt God begin to speak to my heart saying repeatedly, “You are my son, I love you and I want you to come home.” At that moment, I knew I had fallen short and my answer to God was, “How could I possibly return to You?”.

Then suddenly like the preacher was answering my question he said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

As soon as I heard this, I ran to the front and knelt at the altar with tears pouring out of my eyes. That night I gave my life to Jesus. I was totally set free from addiction and made a brand-new creation.

God is all about family: we were made to have a relationship with Him; we were made to be a part of the family of God. Unfortunately like the prodigal son, we all decided to go our own way and that left us in brokenness separated from God. But He made a way through His Son Jesus for a family reunion.

Jesus revealed the heart of God as a Father, and He showed us what a relationship with the Father looks like. Then in the ultimate demonstration of love, He made a way by dying on the cross for our sin and rising again so that we can receive forgiveness and be restored as sons and daughters of God (John 1:12).

The world right now is full of spiritual orphans crying for a family to belong to (Romans 8:19). We have the most wonderful privilege of sharing the gospel and leading our soon-to-be brothers and sisters to salvation.

I think this poem from Mat Wright, one of our Youth for Christ missionaries, sums it up perfectly:

Revival looks like prodigal sons and daughters running into the arms of a loving Father and being welcomed into His family. Revival looks like family.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your love and Your mercy. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to save me.

Thank You that my relationship with You has been restored, and for welcoming me into Your family. I thank You that now is the time of salvation. I thank You that now is the time when Your sons and daughters are being revealed.

Thank You for raising up a generation of righteous radicals driven by love and fuelled by the power of the Holy Spirit to go get the others. Father, I pray that You would draw in the prodigals according to John 6:44.

Father, I pray according to 1 Corinthians 3:6, that every seed that has been sown will be watered and that You will bring the increase for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

31 Days Prayer Points

1. Pray for the restoration of FAMILY, FATHERHOOD and MOTHERHOOD in our nation. Malachi 4:6
2. Pray for healing for MARRIAGES, protection for CHILDREN and restoration of the sanctity of LIFE. Isaiah 58:12
3. Pray for Revival, Renewal and Reformation for Australia, that our nation might return to God. 2 Chronicles 7:14

We invite you to support this month-long Prayer & Fasting campaign to raise up prayer for Family and Nation. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us spread the word and make a stand for Family, Faith, Freedom and Life.

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