A Bible reading plan for
Coming Back to God
7 days on the road home
If you have wandered, drifted, or walked away, and now something in you wants to come back, this seven-day plan is for you. It is the story of a God who does not fold His arms and wait but runs down the road to meet the one coming home, with mercy that is new and a welcome that is real.
“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.”Luke 15:20 (KJV)
The plan, day by day
Day 1
While he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and ran. This is the welcome waiting for you.
Day 2
Create in me a clean heart, O God. The honest prayer of return, holding nothing back.
Day 3
Turn ye even to me with all your heart. Rend your heart, and not your garments. God wants you, not a performance.
Day 4
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely. God's response to the returning is healing and free love.
Day 5
Let the wicked forsake his way, and return unto the Lord, for He will abundantly pardon. His pardon is abundant, not stingy.
Day 6
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. The way back is honesty, and He is faithful.
Day 7
Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Take the step toward Him, and watch Him close the distance.
A reading plan is a servant, not a master. If you miss days there is no guilt here and no scorecard in heaven. Simply begin again where you left off. The goal was never to finish a list but to meet the One these words are about, Jesus, who is glad to be found by you today.
Where this plan is leading
The father in the story runs, embraces, and throws a feast, and that father is the very heart of God toward you in Christ. Jesus told this parable to show that heaven rejoices over one who returns. You do not have to clean yourself up first or earn your way back. You just have to come, and He does the rest.
Who is Jesus? · Begin with Jesus · Ask someone to pray with you
Walk this plan in the app
The Living Bread carries the whole Bible with you in a warm reader you can return to every day, and a family who is reading too. Open each day's passage, mark what a verse stirs, and let the Word become a place you meet Jesus. Free, no ads, for all people.
Read the BibleMore reading plansGet the appQuestions people ask
Will God take me back after I walked away?
Yes. The whole point of the prodigal son (Luke 15) is a father who runs to welcome the one who returns. God says, return unto me, for I will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7) and I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely (Hosea 14:4). Coming back is always open, and heaven rejoices when you do.
How do I come back to God?
Simply turn toward Him and be honest. Tell Him you have wandered and you want to come home. Confess what needs confessing (1 John 1:9), receive His forgiveness, and take one small step back into His presence, prayer, His Word, His people. James 4:8 promises that as you draw near, He draws near to you.
Do I have to fix my life before I return to God?
No. The son in the parable came home in rags and rehearsed speeches, and the father interrupted him with an embrace. You come as you are, and God does the cleaning and mending. Waiting until you are good enough is the very thing that keeps people away; He wants you now.