Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Outgoing God... A Prayer of thanksgiving...based on a reflection on the prodigal son (Luke 15) and also preaching on th gifts of the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4)


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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