Daily Worship

Prayer for others

Robert Allan September 01, 2015 0 0

Luke 14:15-24

The Story of the Dinner Party

15 That triggered a response from one of the guests: “How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God’s kingdom!”

16-17 Jesus followed up. “Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’

18 “Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’

19 “Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’

20 “And yet another said, ‘I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’

21 “The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’

22 “The servant reported back, ‘Master, I did what you commanded—and there’s still room.’

23-24 “The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.’”

Lord Jesus, you shared meals with tax collectors and Pharisees; you touched the lepers; you mixed with outcasts and women of dubious repute; you had time for the blind and lame, the mad and bad and sad. You invited all who would listen to gather round; you invited everyone to follow; you welcomed anyone into your presence.

All-inclusive Lord, we pray this day for those who seem sidelined:

For the refuges, looking for a better life, fleeing from war and poverty, but who are a bother for the world to accommodate;

For those with disabilities who struggle to feel accepted and who feel that they are a bother to those who care;

For the lonely whose neighbours rush by and whose family seldom call or visit;

For those who are gay, who are made to feel shameful, who are sometimes left outside the circle, who are sometimes not welcomed in the Church;

For those who are bereaved, avoided often because folk don’t know what to say or, if time has passed, are made to feel as if they should be back to normal living by now;

For those struggling to make ends meet and feed their families, dependent on handouts and foodbanks, not part of the growing economy;

For those living in poverty in countries far from here, seeking lasting solutions to hunger, clean water, medicine, and a chance to enjoy life in all its fullness.

All-inclusive Lord, gather in all who feel sidelined in today’s world that they may feel the warm love and acceptance you radiate; and, Lord, prepare our hearts and minds that we too may find a place at your table with them. Amen.