Prodigals and Parents

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20

A prayer for prodigals and parents

Dear Loving Creator,
you lovingly fashioned the world,
giving us family and harvest, and we want to run away.

You hold out your arms for us and often times we scatter
believing we know better and can prove it, and we run
towards darkness and isolation,
and you run to us when you hear us cry.

You offer us life and safe pasture and we dislike the taste,
we think there is sweeter water and warmer love,
in other places.

And when our hearts are on the ground
you find all of our broken pieces
and in the dark of the night reassemble us.
We cannot make up for your constancy and love.
We cannot atone fully for our foolishness.

But You are the author of love
and You love us completely.
You look for us when we wander until we are found.
You hold us until all the tears are gone.
You set a groaning table to rejoice in our homecomings.
You wait on our anger and delight in our laughter.

May we have the courage to come home to you today.
May we turn in our pride, knowing you will turn pride into caring,
selfishness into generosity, and arrogance into service.
May we turn back and see You, loving parent of all,
running to us, with tears of joy.

Amen