NEXUS Scotland

Praying for NEXUS Scotland

5. The People Who Will Come to NEXUS

5.1 Invitations

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.”
(Matthew 12: 2)

The envelope is crisp and elegant.
Anticipation rises as it is turned in my hand.
Who knows what lies inside;
festivities to be anticipated,
or responsibilities to be faced?
It lies in my hands
and it is worthless until I peel away the seal
and slowly remove the card from its enclosure.

Now preparations can begin;
now we can look forward to meeting old friends and new acquaintances;
now the feasting can be imagined;
the outfit planned.

Now the invitation begins to live
and the joy
the excitement begins to mount.
Grant us, O God, the courage to say “Yes”.
Amen.

5.2 Invitations from Jesus

Jesus decided to go to Galilee.
He found Philip and said to him,
“Follow me.”
(John 1: 43)

Such simple words,
“Follow me.”
Follow you where?
“Where I lead,” you reply.
What do I need?
“Only faith.”
But what about …
“Trust me.”
I want to, but first …
“I have found you, today, follow me, only me.”

Such simple words,
“Follow me.”
such a huge invitation,
an invitation to life,
to celebration,
to the cross,
to sorrow,
to forgiveness,
to joy,
to the unknown.

“Follow me.”
Here I am Lord, lead me.
Amen.

5.3 Invitations to Life

It was you who formed
my inward parts;
you knit me together
in my mother’s womb.
I praise you,
for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made.
(Psalm 139: 13 – 14)

Please take some time to read and reflect on Psalm 139.

Mothering God,
you knew us before our first breath;
you are nearer to us than our every heartbeat.
You know us intimately.
In that close love
challenge us to move beyond that which we know,
to look over the horizons of our limitations.
Enable us to see where our lives can make a difference.
and inspire us to work in your realm and for your glory.
Amen.

5.4 Adventures in Life

During the night Paul had a vision:
there stood a man of Macedonia
pleading with him and saying,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
(Acts 16: 9)

Macedonia seems to be much more glamorous than modern Scotland;
The world of the Bible times seems much more mysterious.
Yet then as now,
We read of churches doing great things;
churches needing help,
we read of you calling people to great adventures.

Today,
in this place,
this country,
this day,
help us to hear voices calling us to adventure.
Help us have the courage to respond,
like Peter and Andrew
and James and John;
like Philip and Thomas
and Bartholomew and Thaddaeus;
like Matthew and Simon
and James and Judas;
like Joanna and Susanna
and Martha and Mary;
like Paul and Luke
and Timothy and Silas;
like Mungo and Columba
and Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa.
Help us step out in faith.
Welcome us to the adventure.
Amen.

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				Praying for NEXUS Scotland 5. The People Who Will Come to NEXUS 5.1 Invitations “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.” (Matthew 12: 2) The envelope is crisp and elegant. Anticipation rises as it is turned in my hand. Who knows what lies inside; festivities to be anticipated, or responsibilities to be faced? It lies in my hands and it is worthless until I peel away the seal and slowly remove the card from its enclosure. Now preparations can begin; now we can look forward to meeting old friends and new acquaintances; now the feasting can be imagined; the outfit planned. Now the invitation begins to live and the joy the excitement begins to mount. Grant us, O God, the courage to say “Yes”. Amen. 5.2 Invitations from Jesus Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” (John 1: 43) Such simple words, “Follow me.” Follow you where? “Where I lead,” you reply. What do I need? “Only faith.” But what about … “Trust me.” I want to, but first … “I have found you, today, follow me, only me.” Such simple words, “Follow me.” such a huge invitation, an invitation to life, to celebration, to the cross, to sorrow, to forgiveness, to joy, to the unknown. “Follow me.” Here I am Lord, lead me. Amen. 5.3 Invitations to Life It was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139: 13 – 14) Please take some time to read and reflect on Psalm 139. Mothering God, you knew us before our first breath; you are nearer to us than our every heartbeat. You know us intimately. In that close love challenge us to move beyond that which we know, to look over the horizons of our limitations. Enable us to see where our lives can make a difference. and inspire us to work in your realm and for your glory. Amen. 5.4 Adventures in Life During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16: 9) Macedonia seems to be much more glamorous than modern Scotland; The world of the Bible times seems much more mysterious. Yet then as now, We read of churches doing great things; churches needing help, we read of you calling people to great adventures. Today, in this place, this country, this day, help us to hear voices calling us to adventure. Help us have the courage to respond, like Peter and Andrew and James and John; like Philip and Thomas and Bartholomew and Thaddaeus; like Matthew and Simon and James and Judas; like Joanna and Susanna and Martha and Mary; like Paul and Luke and Timothy and Silas; like Mungo and Columba and Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa. Help us step out in faith. Welcome us to the adventure. Amen. Previous Page \| Return to Main Prayer Page \| Next Page






	NEXUS Scotland 2007 23-25 August 2007 SECC Glasgow Scottish Christian Resources Exhibition

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