The Father’s Unconditional Love

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.  

Reading: Luke 15: 11-24

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.  
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

The father in this story doesn’t wait to hear an apology. He runs to meet his son with open arms, full of compassion and grace. This is the image of our Heavenly Father—eager to forgive, generous in mercy, and joyful in our return. Grace is not earned. It is received.
 
Do you feel more like the older son or the younger? How has the father’s response challenged what feels most natural to you?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…  

1. Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).  
2. Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: God, thank You for meeting me with mercy instead of condemnation. Teach me to live in the freedom of Your forgiveness and extend that grace to others.
3. Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.  

Take Action:

1. Identify one area of guilt or shame you’ve been holding onto. Surrender it to God in prayer.
2. Practice grace today: extend forgiveness to someone or offer encouragement where you might otherwise remain silent.