THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 24TH AUGUST 2025, SUNDAY MESSAGE
The Power of Forgiveness.
Percy Mangwedi (Gauteng, South Africa)
Today’s Reading
Luke 15:11-24
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
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.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
KEY VERSE: The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” – Luke 15:21-22 (NIV)
The Upper Room Devotional – 24th August 2025 MESSAGE:
I struggled growing up in poverty and without my father in my life, even though I knew he was alive. Later, my life took a turn for the worse, and I didn’t believe in anything. At school I started to isolate myself; I didn’t want any friends because of the pain I was feeling from my father’s rejection. I started to do bad things to numb the pain, but the hole grew deeper. I wanted my father to feel the hurt I was going through, and I wished a lot of bad things on him so I could feel better about myself. But the pain started to affect everyone around me, including those I love dearly.
One day I noticed how toxic I was being. I realized that I wasn’t the victim that I thought I was; I was also now a perpetrator of hate. My journey took another turn. I started to pray. I have learned not to dwell on the pain other people cause me. By learning to forgive and forget, I have found healing and a joyous life.
Today’s Prayer
Father God, may we focus on you and know you deeply so that we may act like Jesus, forgiving others as you forgive us. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Forgiveness is the key to contentment.
Prayer Focus
Someone I need to forgive
The Upper Room Devotional 24th August 2025, is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More