It's been a long time since you felt peace
In the valley you made where you're not meant to be
Where the shame throws shadows on you
But don't you forget
That you're headed to more
But you've settled for less
Don't buy the lie "it's as good as it gets"
The same feet that left you lost and alone
Are the very same feet that can bring you back home
Wherever you are, whatever you did
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal
There will be nights, when you hear whispers
Of the life you once knew, don't let it linger
Cause there's a grace that falls upon you
Don't you forget
In the places you're weak
He is very strong
Don't ever believe "you don't deserve love"
The same God that protects you when you're lost and alone
Is the very same God that is calling you home
Wherever you are, whatever you did
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal
Oh…
Let your life be made new
Oh…
As you come into view
Your Father's not waiting, no he's running too
He's running straight to you
Wherever you are, whatever you did
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal
Prodigal
Prodigal Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Sidewalk Prophets' song "Prodigal," with its video released on August 10, 2015, offers a message of hope and redemption for those who feel lost or distant. Drawing inspiration directly from the well-known biblical parable, the lyrics address the listener who has strayed from a place of peace, finding themselves in a metaphorical valley of shame and isolation. The opening lines paint a picture of someone settling for less than they were meant for, cautioning against believing the lie that their current state is permanent or the best they can achieve.
The core message of the song centers on the possibility of return and the welcoming nature of a loving Father figure. It directly references the story of the prodigal son, highlighting that the journey away does not define the entirety of one's life story; it is merely "a page in your book, but it isn't the end." The song reassures the listener that, regardless of their past actions or current location, there is a place where their heart truly belongs.
A powerful element of the song is the portrayal of the Father's response to the returning son. While the parable in Luke 15:11-32 describes the father seeing his son from a distance and running to meet him, the bridge of the song emphasizes this active pursuit, stating, "Your Father's not waiting, no he's running too, He's running straight to you." This highlights the proactive and eager love of the Father, signifying that the journey back is met with enthusiasm, not judgment. The song encourages the listener to "Come running like a prodigal," implying that the desire to return is met with immediate and overwhelming acceptance.
Furthermore, the lyrics address the internal struggles faced by someone who has strayed, acknowledging the "whispers" of a past life and the feeling of weakness. It offers encouragement by stating, "In the places you're weak, He is very strong," and directly refutes the lie that one does not deserve love. The promise of grace and unconditional love underpins the entire song, asserting that the same power that protected them in their lost state is the same power calling them home, where they can experience a life "made new."
