How does the son's attitude in Luke 15:21 guide our prayer of repentance?

Repentance Mirrors the Son’s Brokenness

Luke 15:21 — “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”

Understanding the Son’s Attitude

- Admits guilt without excuses: “I have sinned.”

- Recognizes sin foremost as offense against God: “against heaven.”

- Owns personal responsibility: “and against you.”

- Abandons any claim to merit: “I am no longer worthy.”

- Casts himself entirely on the father’s mercy.

Heart of Humility

- Psalm 51:17 — “A broken and contrite spirit, O God, You will not despise.”

- Isaiah 66:2 — “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit.”

- Matthew 5:3 — “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

Prayer of repentance begins with a low posture, acknowledging utter need and unworthiness.

Abandoning Self-Justification

- No blame-shifting, negotiating, or defending.

- 1 John 1:9 — Confession means saying the same thing about sin that God says.

Our prayers should drop every shred of self-defense and simply agree with God’s verdict.

Accepting Full Responsibility

- “Against you” shows acknowledgment of harm done to people, not only to God.

- Practical application: name specific sins and the people harmed; seek reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24).

Longing for Restoration, Not Reward

- The son returns for relationship, not wages.

- Our repentance seeks the Father’s presence over His gifts (Psalm 73:25-26).

Scripture Echoes

- Ezra 9:6 — “I am too ashamed and disgraced… to lift my face to You, my God.”

- Daniel 9:4-5 — Daniel’s confession includes national and personal guilt, mirroring the prodigal’s honesty.

- Hosea 14:2 — “Take words with you and return to the LORD.”

Practical Guide for Our Prayer of Repentance

1. Address God as Father, trusting His character (Luke 15:20; Hebrews 4:16).

2. Confess sin plainly:

- Name the sin.

- Admit its offense against God and others.

3. Renounce worthiness: acknowledge that any mercy is undeserved (Titus 3:5).

4. Submit to whatever correction God deems right (Hebrews 12:5-6).

5. Express desire for restored fellowship above all else (Psalm 51:11-12).