Forward Church

Through the Spirit and the finished work of Christ, believers can know the things God has already freely given and pray with confidence where His will is clearly revealed. In areas where Scripture has not specified the details—such as personal plans, timing, or direction—we humbly seek His guidance, trusting His grace and leadership along the way.

Since God already knows our needs and desires to give good things to His children, prayer begins by hearing and believing what He has spoken. Faith is born through the Word, and as we receive God’s promises into our hearts, His living Word shapes our thoughts, guards our hearts, and produces the fruit of His will in our lives.

Because our Father already knows what we need, prayer is not informing Him or persuading Him — it is partnering with Him. As righteous sons and daughters, we bear one another’s burdens and pray for one another boldly and confidently, expecting healing and restoration in a hurting world.

In this conversation, Justin Merrill explores the profound themes of grace, identity, and the nature of God through the lens of the parable of the Prodigal Son. He emphasizes that the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son collectively reveal God's relentless pursuit of humanity and His desire for restoration. The discussion highlights the contrasting perspectives of the younger and elder sons, illustrating how both can misunderstand the Father's heart. Ultimately, the message centers on the unconditional love and acceptance that God offers to all, regardless of their past or performance, inviting listeners to embrace their identity as beloved children of God.

Perfect love is not flawless love — it is mature love, and mature love casts out fear. When we try to love from insecurity, survival instinct, or a need to be completed by someone else, fear filters what we give and receive. But as we allow God’s love for us—revealed fully in Christ—to mature in us, we become whole in Him and are finally free to love others without fear.