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“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
— Luke 15:11-24 (KJV)
A businesswoman in Lagos has spent years chasing wealth and status. She built her company through sharp dealings, cut corners, and compromised her values. The money came, but it brought no peace. One morning, while driving to the office, the weight of her choices crashed upon her. She wept at a traffic light. She thought of her widowed mother, whom she had neglected. She thought of the employees she had cheated. She thought of God, whom she had forgotten.
This is the moment of the Prodigal Son—when a wanderer “came to himself.”
Repentance is not mere sadness for sin; it is a complete turning around. The younger son did not simply regret his circumstances. He saw his sin clearly: “I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” He understood that he had violated his father’s trust. He accepted the consequence: “I am no more worthy to be called thy son.” Yet crucially, he moved. He did not wallow in despair. “I will arise and go to my father.”
Notice what the father did. Before the son could finish his prepared speech, the father ran to him, embraced him, and welcomed him home with celebration. This is the heart of God toward the repentant. As it is written in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Many Nigerian believers carry shame for years, believing God has closed the door on them. They think their sin is too deep, their betrayal too public, their failure too complete. But God says otherwise. His arms are not shortened. His mercy is not exhausted. When we repent—when we turn around completely and return to Him—He runs to meet us.
Repentance requires honesty. You must name what you have done. Repentance requires humility. You must lay down your excuses and self-justifications. Repentance requires action. You must turn your feet toward home, toward obedience, toward restoration.
The invitation is open today. Whether you have drifted into pride, lust, dishonesty, or unforgiveness, the Father waits. As it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
What sin have you been nursing in secret? Name it. Confess it to God. Turn from it. Return home. The Father’s arms are open.
Lord, give me the courage to face my sin, repent fully, and receive Your restoration.