PRAY IT! 99+1: Luke 15:25-31

Catch up on this Sunday's Scripture passage here:  Luke 15:25-31

In Luke 15:25-31, the older brother's reaction to his father's lavish, no-holds-barred kind of love is less than ideal.  Something is really missing:  there's no reaction to the return home of his wayward brother.  No shock.  No disbelief.  No celebration.  He skips over this news completely and focuses in on how he has been slaving for his dad for years and was never given an animal to slaughter so he could have fun with his friends.  His response appears to be merely to his father's reaction.  Contrast this with the celebration of the found sheep, the found coin, and the father's reaction to the found son... The older son may be the ultimate party pooper who has come to poop what should be the ultimate party.

How could the older son celebrate the return home of his brother when his view of the relationship between his father and himself appeared so distorted?  He was a son who viewed himself as a slave. 

Reflect upon this today as we prepare our heart's and minds for this Sunday's message:

How do you talk to God?
What do your prayers sound like?
Do you relate to God as your father or do you relate to God as though you are His slave?  Do you actually believe God wants a relationship with you, or do you think He only wants something to do with you as long as you produce, produce, produce?  Is the work you do for the Lord joyful or is it enforced drudgery? 

God longs to help guide us in a correct view of Him. 

Jesus modeled the correct father-son relationship when he prayed this prayer found in Mark 14:36:
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 

Paul also nailed it in Romans 8:15:  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Spend some time in prayer today with your Abba, who loves you, and is happy to call you His.  Ask Him to help you see Him as your Abba, and you as His child.  Not only will it help your relationship, it will also help your natural response to be joy when God's kids come home.

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm!  Come join us as we both prayer-and-care it up!  It's the easiest way to get involved and the easiest way to make a difference.

Pastor Celia