Holy One, your welcome is wide
and the table is wide
and your arms open wide to gather us in.
You invite us to “come” just as we are
with all that we hold – our joys and gratitude,
with the heavy baggage that weighs us down
and the unhealed places of our hearts.
Your welcome extends to us whether
youthful or weary
tired or troubled
gracious or grumpy
secure in our faith
or seeking and searching.
You invite us to your table with joy.
And we come
as your people who trust in your grace.
We come unhindered and free.
And our deepest hunger will be
satisfied with the Bread of Life, which is you.
And our deepest thirst will be quenched
as we drink deeply from your cup of blessing.
At your table of grace
transform us to be bread
for a hungering world,
and drink for those who thirst.
May our table be wide
and the welcome be wide.
May our hospitality be generous and joyful.
God of grace, you welcome us and prayers
for our needs, those we love, and the world.
Be comfort for the grieving – our hearts are weeping.
Be strength for the hurting, those faced with big decisions and transition,
and those who struggle or find life hard.
We pray for all who stand in need of healing, hope, and wholeness.
Held in your wide embrace, hear our prayers for those
who gather at conflicted family tables;
world leaders gathered at the tables of power.
Pour out your grace at the tables of the poor, the marginalized,
the sick, those who are far from home,
and those who yearn for safety and security.
May all creation know your justice,
your peace that surpasses all understanding,
your love that sustains and heals.
May we each know your welcome and grace
and extend your welcome wide.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen