#run-a-ways

The prodigal son we’re going to use today as a story of a run-a-way.  He was one who ran off with his inheritance at an early age.  He did not wait for his father to die and leave him an inheritance, but asked his father for it while his father was yet alive, and his father obliged him.  He quickly went through all that he had by being wasteful, extravagant and reckless.  He spent it all. 

Luke 15:11-32   11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Prayer

Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, Keeper of my soul, in the name of Jesus I give you praise and thanksgiving for all my children for generations to come.  Today Lord, I thank You for keeping them from danger, traps, sickness and snares.  Lord I pray that Your mighty hand always be with them and that Your keep them from all hurt and harm so that they do not grieve and do not cause pain.  Lord bless those your children who have run away from You spiritually and their families physically.  Lord help them find their way back to Your arms back home where they belong.  Let them rush into Your warm embrace and be comforted right now in the name of Jesus, like never before.  Bless them also Lord to return home to their earthly mothers and fathers in Jesus name, I pray.  Father I bind up all disunity in the family, all anger and fear and caste it to dry places.  I command the spirit of rebellion to dry up and go from our children right now in the name of Jesus.  As the prodigal son came to his senses and returned home from a foreign land, Lord return all run-a-way children to their parents and guardians in Jesus name.  Thank You sweet Jesus, for caring for them, protecting than and watching over them, Amen.