mission

Opening Prayer: O gracious and loving God, you work everywhere reconciling, loving, and healing your people and your creation. In your Son and through the power of your Holy Spirit, you invite each of us to join you in your work. We, young and old, lay and ordained, ask you to form us more and more in your image and likeness, through our prayer and worship of you and through the study of your scripture, that our eyes will be fully opened to your mission in the world. Then, God, into our communities, our nation, and the world, send us to serve with Christ, taking risks to give life and hope to all people and all of your creation. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. ~The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-4

Journal: Where are you asking God to open doors for the entry of his gospel into your life and world?  What open doors have you seen lately?  How did you respond?  According to these verses, how does God desire us to respond?

Reflection: When you know the story to which you belong, and when you know your role in that story, you have a profound sense of purpose.  That is what we are invited into: God’s ongoing work in this world.  When we find ourselves contributing to a greater story, we thrive. (An Invitation to Thrive by Pamela Ebstyne King, Fuller Magazine, Issue #7)

Prayer

Closing Prayer: O Lord, may we continue steadfastly in prayer this day, being watchful and thankful.  Open doors, O God, both within us and around us for the declaration of the Mystery of Christ, and give us the grace and the wisdom to know how to respond to those opportunities.  Amen.