"This book is a gift to the whole church."

Dr R T Kendall

Rob Parsons at his best - turning lights on, touching hearts, and bringing us hope.

Rob Parsons' message is for anyone who cares about prodigals. He urges us to be released from false guilt, to stop judging each other, and to remember that God, the perfect parent, has trouble with his children too.

He challenges the Church to recognise the part it has played in creating prodigals and to get ready for their return. With characteristic honesty he suggests, 'When our prodigals do come home, pray with all your heart that they meet the father first and not the elder brother!'

But this is not just for other people: 'We suddenly see that the dirty, tear-stained face coming down the road is our face; and then we discover what, deep in our heart, we knew all along; we are the prodigal.'"

Including:

• Who Are the Prodigals? Is it possible we have made prodigals of some who never were in the first place - they have simply turned their backs on some petty rules and regulations that never did matter to God.
• Before They Are Prodigals. Helping the parents of young children deal with that 'testing' child before major rebellion sets in.
• Let Go of False Guilt. Releasing those who care for prodigals from the guilt of continually asking, "where did we go wrong," and reminding us that sometimes God has trouble with his children too.
• It's Time to Stop Judging and Start Sharing. Urging us all to be more vulnerable and honest with each other, remembering that 'In love's service, only the wounded soldiers can serve.'
• Release the Life-Changing Power of Forgiveness. Forgiving those who may have hurt our prodigals, forgiving our prodigals for the pain they may have caused us and ultimately, by God's grace, forgiving ourselves.
• Get the Home Ready for Their Return. "When the father's house is filled with the father's love, the prodigals will come home." Is it possible that one of the greatest obstacles to the return of our prodigals is the state of our local churches?
• The Patience to Wait and the Grace to Accept. Be patient with them. And be patient, too, in your waiting - and yet look out for that action you can take which may hasten the return of your prodigals. It could be a letter, a visit, an apology, or perhaps just a phone call.
• Praying Home the Prodigals. "As those who have cried for prodigals, and especially the parents of prodigals, come to pray they often have a wonderful advantage: they are humble. These men and women have hearts that have been broken; they are totally dependent on God."

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