Prodigal Younger Son, Prodigal Older Son, and Prodigal God

·       Rembrandt Return of the Prodigal Son

Prodigal Younger Son’s Prayer

 

Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 

I asked you for my share estate before you die. Frankly, I wished you die. 

I loved your things, not you. 

Even though I hurt your feeling, you did not rebuke me, cast out me you’re your family, and gave me 1/3 of your estate as my wishes. 

I tore your life, your family, and your community. Your heart and your life were broken, because of me. 

I did not know when I spent the money, but when I had no money left, ate Pigs’ pods, and I was almost dying of hunger, I realized that my choice was wrong, foolish, and unforgivable.     

I was now not worthy to be called your son. I already spent all my portion of the money, my dignity, and love what I deserved as your son. I deserved to be called one of your hired servants, not servants who lived in your house, but in town. I did not ask the status of sonship, even your servant in your house, I just wanted to earn money and pay you back. 

However, you have been waiting for me. While I was still far off, you saw me and you were filled with compassion, instead of anger, bitterness, and repayment. Children and women could run, but no other men run, especially wealthy men like you. But you ran into me, put your arms around me, kissed me, and fell on your neck. You quickly brought out the robe, the best one, and put it on me who was separated from you. You restored my status as your son by putting the ring, the signet ring, the family seal on my finger which I squandered with, putting sandals on my bare feet which I had nothing left from my foolish life. You killed the fatted calf which you could invite the whole town people, and I knew how much you were happy. You did not think about the money I spent, you spent for me, but you just thought about me, and my life. 

Father, forgive me and spare my sins. Wipe out my wickedness. Save me, and snatch my soul from all darkness. I cannot find happiness in my life without you. You are my shelter, refuge, and my rock. Here I am leaning on your most warm arms. I will never leave you, and stay with you forever and ever in your everlasting arms.         

 

  

Prodigal Older Son’s Prayer

Father, frankly when my brother was gone, I started to have bitterness in my heart, because I needed to work more from the early morning, and until darkness. My life was changed by his choice. When I heard music and dancing, and saw that you prepared for him with the fatted calf after a long day in the field. I was furious. You prepared for him the best party, the lifetime celebration for him. I thought he did not deserve that, but I deserved to have the party. Because he ran away, but I stayed with you. He abandoned all his job, but I worked so hard for you. He did so many bad things, but I did good things. I thought he was a sinner, and I was righteousness. 

However, I realized that I was the same prodigal son as him to you. I cared about your things, not your heart. I did not have your love toward him. I called him your son, not my brother. He abandoned you physically, but I abandoned you emotionally. I refused to go to the party. I could not accept him as my family and as my brother again. I did not want to share my estate with him anymore. He already spent all his estate, and everything you have would be mine. I loved your things more than you. My brother hurt you by breaking the rules, but I hurt you by keeping all rules. Both of us were separated from you. I am another prodigal son to you. I thought my younger brother is the only one who was lost, hurt you abandoned you, but I realized that I was lost, hurt you, and abandoned you, too. 

You were my boss, supervisor, and employer, but not my father to me. 

Father, forgive me and spare my sins. Wipe out my wickedness. Save me, and snatch my soul from all inner darkness. I cannot find happiness in my life without you. You are my shelter, refuge, and my rock. Here I am leaning on your most warm arms. I will never leave you, and stay with you forever and ever in your everlasting arms. 

 

Prodigal God’s Love Letter

My dear younger son, when you were born, you were our joy, and you made us so happy. You were genius, curious, adventurous, and very active. It was really hard for me to seat and have a quiet time with you, but I was happy to run with you. When you asked the money what you would get after I died, frankly my heart was broken. I was hurt. I felt abandoned by you. However, I knew you were curious about the new world, and you wanted to explore, and adventure the world you’ve never seen. I respected the choice of your life. 

While you were gone, my eyes were always on the road. Every day and night, I had been waiting for you. I never leave you alone in my heart. I have been praying for you, and thinking of you every year, every single hour, and every single minute. 

When I saw you far away, my heartbeat was pounding, and I could not express how much I was happy. I could not stop running to you. When I saw your weary face, teared-up clothes, and bare feet, I couldn’t stop crying. My heart was burning with full of compassion. 

When you asked me for forgiveness, I already forgave you. I was so happy to show my love with the best robe, the ring, the sandals, and the feast. No matter what you did, you are my son, my beloved one. You don’t need to earn the money for paying me back. You are forgiven! 

 

My dear older son, when you were born, you were our joy and you made us so happy. Everything was changed by you. You have been thinking first before acting, you have a responsibility, and you are such a hard worker. When you worked so hard to overcome the absence of your brother, I was so sad. When you got angry and refused to come to the party for your brother, my heart was broken. I couldn't stay at the party. I came out to you. I ran to you as I did to your brother. You were so important in my life and our family. I wish you could come to the party and join the celebration with your brother. You are not a slave, and employee to me. You are my son! You are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. Why don't you have my heart with me toward your brother? I love you both so much.