Prayers From the Story of the Prodigal
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-32 ESV
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
The “Prayer” of the Far Country
Psalm 130:1 ESV
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
The depth of distress: This mirrors the kind of gut-wrenching prayer found in the Psalms. Psalm 130:1 says, “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.” It is in our darkest moments that our hearts can finally turn back to God. The prayer of the far country is born not of piety but of pure need.
The Prayer of Repentance
Luke 18:9-14 ESV
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The prayer of the tax collector: This echoes the publican’s prayer in Luke 18:13: “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'” Both men recognize their unworthiness but appeal to God’s mercy, not their own merit.
The Answered Prayer
Jeremiah 24:6-7 ESV
I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
God’s faithfulness: This is the ultimate fulfillment of Jeremiah 24:6-7, which promises, “My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land… I will give them a heart to know me… for they will return to me with all their heart”. Just as the father watched for his son’s return, so God watches for his children.
The Prayer of Intercession for Other Prodigals
Ezekiel 22:30 ESV
And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
Standing in the gap: Ezekiel 22:30 speaks of standing in the gap for the land. As parents, friends, and fellow believers, we can stand in the gap for prodigals. When we pray for them, we are participating in God’s redemptive work.
Conclusion: Coming Home to Prayer
The parable of the Prodigal Son reveals that prayer is more than just spoken words. It is the movement of a heart turning toward God.
Whether we are in the “far country” of desperation, praying a prayer of humble repentance, or interceding for others, God’s arms are always open.
The greatest prayer we can offer, like the prodigal, is simply to come home.