Coming Back to God Without Pretending

You may have drifted from faith, stopped attending church or been hurt in a Christian setting. Those experiences are different, and your story deserves to be heard. Coming towards God can begin with honesty rather than a polished explanation.

Bible readings: Luke 15:11–24; Psalm 51:1–12; James 4:8

The full passages are printed beside the teaching below. Scripture quotations use the World English Bible British Edition (WEB), a public-domain translation in modern English. The reflections, exercises and prayers are original ANCC material.

Read and notice

Luke 15:11–24 — WEB

11 He said, “A certain man had two sons.

12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.

13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and travelled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.

14 When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.

15 He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16 He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.

17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!

18 I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.

19 I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’

20 “He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

23 Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;

24 for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

Psalm 51:1–12 — WEB

1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.

4 Against you, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.

5 Behold, I was born in iniquity. My mother conceived me in sin.

6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

11 Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.

Read Luke 15:11–24. Notice the younger son’s decision to return and the father’s welcome. Jesus tells this story within a chapter about what is lost being found. The focus is not a public performance of worthiness but the generosity of the father.

Read Psalm 51:1–12. The prayer names responsibility and asks for mercy and renewal. Honest return can involve confession where we have done wrong, while recognising that another person’s mistreatment is not our fault.

Return can begin with one truthful sentence

James 4:8 — WEB

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.

You might pray, “God, I want to know you, but I have questions.” You might need to say, “I am hurt and do not know how to trust.” Or you may be ready to acknowledge a particular choice. Begin with what is true.

James 4:8 invites drawing near to God within a call to humility and changed conduct. It is not a rule that a person must rejoin a specific congregation immediately. Returning to God and deciding where to worship are related but distinct decisions.

If church was part of the harm you experienced, rebuilding trust may take time. You can ask questions about beliefs, leadership, safeguarding and expectations before making a commitment. Pastoral conversation should allow room for thought rather than demand immediate loyalty.

A fresh beginning may be reading a Gospel passage, speaking with a trusted Christian or visiting a service. It need not involve sharing your full history with strangers. You can choose the pace and the details you disclose.

Three questions and one small step

  • What do I most want to say to God honestly?
  • Is there something I need to acknowledge, or a hurt for which I need support?
  • What would help me explore faith with greater clarity and safety?

Practise: Read Luke 15 again and write one question about the father’s response. If you want to explore ANCC, use the returning-to-church guide or contact the church with that question. A visit does not oblige you to join.

An original prayer

God, I come with my questions, regrets and hopes. Help me see your mercy in Jesus. Show me where I need to change and where I need healing and support. Give me wise people to talk with and freedom to take an honest next step. Amen.

In a group, talk about the Bible passages rather than asking people to explain why they left church. Respect a person’s choice to listen without contributing.

Continue exploring

All Nations Community Church, Leeds. Read at your own pace, individually or with others. To keep a copy, use your browser’s print menu and choose Save as PDF.

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