This is the eighth contemplation in a series of imaginative prayer resources written by and recorded for The Practice community. Imaginative prayer is way of meeting with the Lord by using our imagination to enter a Gospel story. Using our imagination to experience the sights and sounds of the scene helps to bring our whole selves into the presence of Christ. The purpose of this prayer is to meet Jesus face-to-face and grow in intimacy with Him.

Our first prayer written by Father Michael brought us into the room with Mary at the annunciation, and the second contemplation was a reflection on the shepherds outside of Bethlehem written by Jason Feffer. In our third imaginative prayer Kellye Fabian helped us join the story of the Magi as they travel to worship the newborn king and the fourth was a reflection on the holy family’s escape to Egypt written by Roselyn Heims. Our fifth contemplation was written by Sam Tinken and placed us on the banks of the Jordan at the baptism of Jesus. The sixth imaginative prayer, written by Lori Shoults, led us in a reflection on the miracle during the wedding at Cana. In the seventh meditation, written by Ashlee Eiland, we join with Simon and Andrew, James, and John as Jesus calls us to follow him.

In this imaginative prayer written by Gail Donahue, we enter the Parable of the Prodigal Son to personally experience the remarkable grace and hospitality of the God.