Thursday - Enter In - Week 1

Welcome to daily prayer. Today we reflect on how gratitude leads us into generosity.

When our hearts are thankful, our lives open—to people, to hospitality, to love.

As we begin our prayer now, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the LORD.

Lord, I come to you to be restored. I come with open hands. I surrender fear and self-protection and I consecrate my time, my resources, and my home to you. Lord, I give everyone and everything to you. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

A Scripture Reading from Romans 12:9–13

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

A Prayer of Adoration

Generous Father, you have welcomed me into your family through Christ. You made room for me at your table. Everything I have comes from you. I praise You for Your abundant grace. Lord, you have loved me. You have forgiven me. I want to respond rightly. 

Lord, for all the ways you have been generous to me, I say thank you and I praise your Name. 

Prayer of Confession

Lord,

I confess my fear of loss and my tendency toward self-protection. I hesitate to open my life fully to others. Instead of trying to outdo others in showing honor, I look for ways to be honored by others. Lord, forgive me for thinking more about myself than about the needs of others. Lord, forgive me for being apathetic about welcoming others in when you have called me to reflect your generosity and open heartedness. Lord, teach me how to be hospitable. How to open my heart and open my home like a family. 

A Prayer of Trust

Father, I trust that as I open my heart and my home that you will provide what I need. Lord, I look to you for life. 

A Prayer of Intercession

Generous God, I pray that you would strengthen those who serve and give in hidden ways. I thank you for them and I ask that you would strengthen them and uphold them. Thank you for the way they shine a light in dark places. Lord, would our homes be places of safety and restoration. 

Lord, I pray for the older brother. The wounds and quiet resentment. Remind them they are deeply loved and not forgotten. Free them from pride and open them to your love. Lord, may our homes and our church be places of refuge and joy.

A Moment of Reflection

Lord, is there a particular way that you are inviting and calling me to open my life and my home to others?

A Closing Prayer

Father, make me generous as you are generous. I want to have sincere love. To hate what is evil and cling to what is good. To love the welcoming heart that you have. To embrace it. Celebrate it and reflect it. Lord, give me the grace to do it and to be zealous about it. 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Hospitality Action:

We are spending this week focused on gratitude, feasting, and hospitality.  As we finish this time, reach out to a neighbor or someone you have recently met and invite them to coffee or a meal with you, maybe even in your home.