S E E K W E E K D A Y F I V E // F R I D A Y A U G U S T 2 5

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” // Luke 15: 21-24

In his beautiful book The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen writes: “For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God. I have tried hard to follow the guidelines of the spiritual life—pray always, work for others, read the Scriptures—and to avoid the many temptations to dissipate myself. I have failed many times but always tried again, even when I was close to despair.

Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently realized that during all this time God has been trying to find me, to know me, and to love me. The question is not “How am I to find God?” but “How am I to let myself be found by him?” The question is not “How am I to know God?” but “How am I to let myself be known by God?” And, finally, the question is not “How am I to love God?” but “How am I to let myself be loved by God?” God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home.”

As you read this section of the parable slowly, what do you notice about the son’s statement — and the father’s response — that you might not have considered before? What does this poignant moment of radical, unexpected grace and generosity tell you about the way God wants to love you, and the “one” you are praying for?

Community practice: Fast from media & pray.

Today, we want to abstain from the things in our lives that offer us distractions from the uncomfortable places in our lives. Sometimes we scroll through social media to find reprieve from the chaos around us; other times, we binge watch Netflix in order to try to quiet our busy minds. But the truth is, these practices are forming us… usually in a direction that leads us away from Jesus and toward the world. You are invited to choose a way to fast from media today. Maybe for you, that looks like closing Instagram for the day. Maybe it’s leaving the TV off and spending time reading scripture instead. Maybe you want to abstain from media entirely for the rest of the day. Whatever you choose, offer it as a sacrifice to God and ask him to help you be fiercely present in your life today. In moments of struggle, try a breath prayer — something like “Jesus, come near” or “Holy Spirit, come” — to pull you back into the moment. Offer up those difficult moments as a sacrifice of praise for the “one” you are praying for.

Scripture:  Romans 5: 1-2 MSG, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, 1 John 4: 7-12 MSG

Prayer: In whatever time you are able, spend time in prayer with God — remembering and inviting His love into your life, your mind, your heart, and your spirit. Take your time and allow the presence of Jesus in your heart to become more and more real to you. A prayer prompt is available below, or you can pray as you feel led.

King Jesus, thank you for your extraordinary generosity, your radical love, and your unending forgiveness. I am so grateful that I get to live as one who is forgiven; today, will you please help me to love others as you have loved me? I know I have been forgiven much — help me to love in equal measure. I’m asking for more of your grace, more of your Spirit, more of your love to fill me and inspire me toward generosity and forgiveness for those around me. Thank you for “sweeping away my offenses like a cloud”; thank you for redeeming me. Today, I will hold my true identity — as a forgiven child — closely to my heart. And I will see you in the people around me who I need to forgive. Help me to participate in the celebration of Heaven. Amen.

Devotional time // journaling questions:

1. What image from the suggested Scripture verses struck you today? Press in to that image and spend some time with Jesus asking why that particular moment is so important to you right now.

2. How have you experienced God’s forgiveness in your life? How can you grow in your own capacity to forgive? What could you do today to take one step toward being a bearer of love and forgiveness in this world?

3. Where do you need Jesus’ grace to show up in your life today? Craft a prayer or a simple statement inviting Him into that place.