A gathering prayer

Loving God, you are a great welcomer,

and you delight in drawing people to your table,

seeking and saving those who have isolated themselves

through their actions or words.

We pray for one another, as we gather to worship,

that we too would be people of welcome,

opening our church and our fellowship to those longing to be accepted.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.