I shared a quick relfection on a devotion I had this week on the prodigal son and the fact that God goes out to draw both his sons, the prodigal and the elder son, in to be with him. The prodigal the embraces with grace and forgiveness and the elder son he engages with the depth of his love and his kindness... This Prayer has come out of that devotion and reflection and gives thanks for our outgoing God, the God whose grace we have known when we were lost and decided to return and also when we have found ourselves standing on the outside not willing to love as our father has loved us... Also as I am preaching on ephesians 4 this sunday as Part of a series on the Gifts f the Holy Spirit I have included a stanza (sorry I know it sounds a bit over the top poetry nonsence) on how God is outgoing in gifting the church aposltes, prophets, evangelists , pastors and teachers to draw us to himself and build us up and equip us... It is an expression of the utgoingness of God... Also I felt it important to acknowledge that we may know those people in our lives as parents, freinds and fellow Borthers and sisters in Christ as we minister in and by the Holy Spirit to one another.
God our
father,
We thank you
that you are an outgoing God;
That you reach
out to us and bring us to yourself.
When we had
walked away from you
Squandered and
misused all you had given us
You made the
first move, you took the first step.
You stepped
into our world: In Jesus the word became flesh.
You came to
us with Good News of an undeserved welcome home.
In Christ’s death
you stretched out your arms to forgive.
In his resurrection
you embraced us with new life as your children.
You have given
us the inheritance of your Holy Spirit’s presence.
God our
father,
We thank you
that you are an outgoing God,
That you reach
out to us and bring us to yourself.
When we
stand off and think we know best
When our
lives do not reflect your love and grace
You come out
to engage us and invite us to change.
You challenge
and encourage: speak truth and life;
In Christ’s
life and sacrifice you remind us of your love and your grace,
In Christ’s
teaching and example you show us a better way,
You draw us
to join you and to love as you have loved us.
God our Father,
We thank you
that you are an outgoing God;
That you
reach out and bring us to yourself.
Without
those you send we would still be floundering on the sea of uncertainty.
You sent us apostles
to tell and write of what they witnessed of Jesus.
You sent prophets
to make that timeless witness timely for us,
Evangelists who proclaimed what Christ has
done and called us to respond,
Pastors who feed and guided and Teachers who
opened up your word.
Thank you
for these gifts to equip and build us up into maturity in you.
Thank you
for that ministry also through parents, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ.
God our Father,
We thank you
that you are an outgoing God;
That you
reach out to us and bring us to yourself
This morning
may we know your forgiving embrace anew.
This morning
may we know your call to have new life in you.
Fill us a fresh
with your Holy Spirit,
Call us in
to celebrate your grace in unity,
Enable and
empower us to share your love.
Outgoing God,
Send us out to do your work,
That you may
be glorified: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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