CONFESSION: No story confronts us with the Father's love like the parable of the prodigal son and his older brother. In this illustration, Jesus contrasts God's boundless love with the total ineptness of human affection. Both the prodigal and his brother needed the embrace of a forgiving father and a sense of "coming home." The difficult point of the parable, however, is the older son, who believed that by "staying at home" he deserved priority treatment. His refusal to join the celebration revealed his flawed understanding of the father's love. It also exposed pride, because he considered himself more worthy than his prodigal sibling.

Knowing that God has called us to be one (John 17), we acknowledge the sin of the elder brother in the Pentecostal Holiness Church. This "elder brother syndrome" has caused us to resist God's love rather than rejoice in seeing it lavished upon penitent prodigals. This syndrome opens the door to anger, bitterness, jealousy and complaint. Old resentments, rooted in pride, intensify our withdrawal from God and His family and deepen divisions that dishonor and wound others.

The elder brother's selfishness reveals spiritual poverty which closes the door to communion with the Father and fellowship with His family. Like the elder brother, we have hardened our hearts against those who have left us and wanted to come home. We have often failed to demonstrate that God is full of grace and mercy. Instead, we have manifested a spirit of legalism that is based on works. We remember offenses and forget the love and generosity of the Father.

REPENTANCE: Forgive us, our Father, for all the ways the Elder Brother Syndrome has worked in our hearts, causing us to be territorial concerning our positions, possessions, churches, conferences and denomination. Free us to exercise with joy and gladness the wonder of Your love toward all Your family.

RESPONSE: Hear our confession, O Lord, and forgive us of the sin of the elder brother, for we want to love, honor and accept all members of Your family.

AFFIRMATION: Father, we have acknowledged the sin of the elder brother, and we reject the arrogance and anger that accompanies it. We rejoice in knowing that You embrace all who return to You in repentance and that You restore them to full fellowship in the body of Christ.

RESPONSE: We love, honor and accept all members of Your family.

AFFIRMATION: We open our hearts and arms in celebration to welcome penitent sinners and returning backsliders. We open the doors of our fellowship to receive those who have left us and want to come home.

RESPONSE: We love, honor and accept all members of Your family.

AFFIRMATION: We exult in Your love and forgiveness and celebrate the talents You have placed in each member of Your great family. We release these individuals to the positions and ministries You have chosen for them.

RESPONSE: Father, we rejoice in the unique gifts of every Christian, and we love, honor and accept them all.

REFERENCE SCRIPTURES: Luke 15:11-32; Galatians 6:1-3; I Thessalonians 5:15; John 17:15-23

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