'Bringing Home the Prodigals' - a personal account

I hate being late. So I was angry and annoyed at myself for taking a wrong turn and missing the start of the evening. During my slow, long journey going in the right direction, I wondered if there was a connection between how I felt and how ‘prodigals’ feel. If they feel hurt, confused and angry, then they certainly don’t need more criticism, judgement and complaining.

Walking in half an hour late, my angst evaporated by the welcoming smiles and the loving atmosphere. My relief was almost tangible. Despite there being over 900 people in this old methodist hall, I felt neither uncomfortable nor intimidated.

Rob told us moving and humorous stories, assuring us that there were no easy answers as to why some prodigals leave the church. He urged us to give the prodigals we knew to God because, even if we doubt and despair, He is able to bring them home.

Rob spoke about laying down our guilt; the guilt that we may have carried around for our children for years.

We need to remember that kids will be kids. They will get up to mischief - like slipping the odd piranha into the baptistry! Rob wisely reminded us that God, the perfect parent, has trouble with His children too!

Rob also pointed out that half the pews are filled with the other type of prodigal - the elder brother. I recognised myself. What really matters - rules and always being right, or relationships and loving each other? I decided there and then that, before any of my prodigals come home, I need to change some of my attitudes. “The measure you judge will be the measure by which you will be judged.” Rob reminded us that if we want the prodigals to come home, then we must stop judging and arguing with each other about the things that aren’t really that important. Until the Father’s house is filled with the Father’s love, the prodigals won’t want to return - and who can blame them? “Let’s just hope they meet the Father before the elder brother”, said Rob.

Dianne’s humble and direct call to prayer challenged and inspired me greatly. “Our prayers are perfect by the time they get to God. Pray about the small things and the big things will come along. Pray for your children while they are still small; for the friends they will make, for they will be so influential. Pray for their future partners and who they marry. And pray for them before they are born.”

During the evening, Sheron Rice, a member of staff at Care for the Family, read out her prayer which I made my own - with tears, “Be with her - she’s my sister. Bring her home soon Lord!”

Towards the end of the evening we were invited to write the names of the prodigals we knew on a card, and to place this in a basket at the foot of a huge cross. Although there was no magic in what we did, I felt the responsibility for them slip gently from me to God. The relief was tangible.

We finished the evening with prayer and a word of advice for younger people. Rob said, “Don’t confuse Christianity with Jesus ... the church will let you down - but He won’t. Whatever pigsty you end up in - remember it’s never too late or too awful to come home. There is nothing you can do to make the Father love you any less, and there is nothing you cannot do that will make Him love you any more.” And so, like my wrong turn, we all make mistakes - but it’s never too late to turn around and come home, and it’s never right to be judgmental about the prodigal, because we’ve all got the prodigal in us!

On the way out, at the end of the evening, we were invited to pick up one of the cards from the basket that had been at the front of the hall. A card with the someone’s name on it. I was inspired to pray for someone else’s prodigal - knowing that someone would be praying for mine.

Anthony Wingfield, Care for the Family staff member
Date: 13/11/2003