A Gathering Place for Parents of Prodigals

You don’t need a seminary degree, a perfect porch, or a prodigal who’s come home to start a Father’s Porch group. You just need a willing heart, a Bible, and a few others who are walking the same road of waiting, praying, and trusting.

This ministry isn’t about teaching. It’s about sitting, listening, crying, hoping, and praying together.

Whether you meet in a home, a church, a park, or yes—a real porch—this space is for you.

Getting Started

1. Pray First

Ask the Lord if this is a season to open your heart and your home to others. Ask Him to bring the right people and prepare the ground for community and healing.

2. Find One or Two Others

Start small. A group of just 2–4 parents can be powerful. God often does His best work in quiet places.

3. Choose a Rhythm

Meet weekly, twice a month, or even once a season. Morning coffee? Evening porch time? Find a rhythm that works for your life and season.

4. Pick a Format

Here are a few simple ways to structure your gatherings:

  • Read the Book Together: Assign one seasonal section or devotion per meeting and reflect using the journal prompts.

  • Open Discussion: Let each person share where they are in their journey and pray for one another.

  • Themed Meetings: Focus each meeting on a topic (grief, anger, forgiveness, praise) using Scripture and questions from the book or workbook.

5. Keep It Confidential

Create a space where parents can be raw and real without fear. What’s shared on the porch stays on the porch.

6. Be a Listener First

You’re not the fixer. You’re a fellow traveler. You don’t need perfect answers—just presence.

Bonus Tips

Suggested Meeting Flow

  1. Welcome – Light snack, coffee, or tea

  2. Opening Prayer – Invite the Holy Spirit to meet you there

  3. Reading – A devotion or journal entry from The Father’s Porch

  4. Reflection – Journal prompts, personal stories, or discussion

  5. Prayer Time – Pray by name for your prodigals

  6. Closing Blessing – Speak encouragement before you go

Optional Ideas to Enrich Your Group

  • Porch Light Reminder: Bring a small lantern or battery candle to symbolize God’s ever-burning light during your gatherings.

  • Letter Night: Take a meeting to write letters to your prodigals (you don’t have to send them).

  • Celebration Gathering: When someone’s child comes home—celebrate it together. You’ve prayed, now rejoice!

Stay Connected

You’re not alone in this. Join the growing Father’s Porch community online:

Coming Soon: Companion Workbook

A companion workbook will soon be available to help your group go deeper with guided prayers, journal prompts, and discussion tools.

Before You Go...

You don’t have to have all the answers.
You just have to leave the light on.

If God has placed this on your heart, trust that He’s already preparing someone else’s.
One porch. One prayer. One meeting at a time—He will be in your midst.

“For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18:20

We’re praying with you as you open the door.