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HELEN SANDERS
10-14-2026
THE PRODIGAL’S BROTHER
We view the story of the prodigal son so often from just the wayward son’s point of view. But what about the brother that stayed home?
He was not happy about his father’s rejoicing over the return of his brother. He did not like the fact that his father brought out the fatted calf and put a robe on his brother.
He had become bitter during his brother’s absence. Everything his father had was his, but it was not enough for him. He had bitterness and anger.
So often we become like the older brother when someone leaves our lives and becomes involved with sin. We often think “they will get what they deserve” for their actions. How unfortunate for us and the older brother. His Father looked daily and prayed daily that his wayward son would come to himself, while his brother got resentful and full of hate.
If we were to examine our hearts, we would also see that there are times that we do not pray for those that have hurt us. We truly do not want them to “come around.” We want to hurt them back.
Oh how sad that is my friends, for if we were in the shoes of the prodigal, you would know that we need the prayers of those that care to bring us back from our choices that cause us to sink deep into sin.
The younger brother came to himself, repented and went home expecting nothing. The older brother was full of himself, and full of bitterness, anger, and hatred. He was the loser!
Let us pray for those that have abandoned and hurt us, and ask God to bless them and turn them around. We must live our lives free of bitterness, or it will destroy us.
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