Settle in: Take a deep breath. Turn off notifications on your phone if you can. Ask God to quiet your heart and help you believe in his unconditional love and forgiveness.

The big idea

The Parable of the Lost Son isn’t just a story— it’s a promise. No matter how far someone has wandered, God is watching the road, ready to run toward them the moment they turn back. He does this for us, and he teaches us how to do the same for others who have wandered.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this Quick Quiet Time:

• God’s forgiveness is unconditional.
• God wants the heart, not the act.
• God shows us how to wait hopefully for other people’s comebacks.

Start reading: The Parable of the Lost Son

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

[13] “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. [14] About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. [15] He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. [16] The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

[17] “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! [18] I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”‘

[20] “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. [21] His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

[22] “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

[25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, [26] and he asked one of the servants what was going on. [27] ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

[28] “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

[31] “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. [32] We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'”

Luke 15:11-32 NLT

---

Read:

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”

Luke 15:20 NLT

Mic drop moment:

The father didn’t wait for a perfect apology. He ran toward his son, embracing and restoring him before the son could even finish his speech.

• That’s how God loves us. He meets us in our brokenness and offers full forgiveness.
• There are no exceptions or limitations on God’s forgiveness.
• You or a loved one may be straying away, but God’s forgiveness is already waiting.

Pray

Tell God anything you need him to forgive, and thank him for his unconditional forgiveness.

---

Read:

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his two sons.

Luke 15:11-12 NLT

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he retorted, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours came back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrated by killing the fattened calf!’”

Luke 15:28-30 NLT

Lightbulb moment:

There are two ways of drifting from God—inwardly or outwardly.

• Both sons distanced themselves from their father. 
• The younger son rebelled openly. The older son stayed home and acted right, but was quietly bitter, jealous, and resentful.
• The older brother did the work, but not out of love. He was envious of the forgiveness shown to his brother and felt overlooked.
• This reminds us that someone can appear faithful on the outside while quietly drifting on the inside.

Truth bomb:

Religious routines without love can lead to spiritual blindness.

• The older son prided himself so much on his good deeds that he could not see the father’s love or all the benefits of staying close to him.
• With God, there is hope for any heart that is far—inwardly or outwardly.

Pray:

“God, I’m sorry for my pride and the way it stops me from seeing your goodness. Thank you for the ways you love me, and help my heart stay close to you…”

---

Read:

“‘We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Luke 15:32 NLT

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:10 NIV

Truth bomb:

This part of the parable reminds us that joy isn’t just found in the outcome. It’s also found in trusting God, even in the waiting.

• The father didn’t just forgive—he celebrated. 
• But when we are waiting for a loved one to have a comeback, joy can feel distant.
• God rejoices when even one person turns back to him. Heaven throws a party over every soul that comes home.

Pray:

“God, help me to be like you—waiting and watching with hope and unconditional forgiveness when I see someone drift from you…”

---

God is always ready

With God, there is always hope for the heart that’s far away. Whether we’ve drifted inwardly or rebelled outwardly, God is always ready to celebrate our comeback.

Bring the inspiration with you

Share this wallpaper with someone who needs extra encouragement today!