October 28 2023 | Budva, Montenegro [tedNEWS]
As the Trans-European Division Executive Committee met together for Sabbath worship during their Year-End Meeting on 28 October, prayer was offered by the Family Ministries director, Karen Holford. It is reproduced here in video and written form to connect readers with the mood of those assembled.
Dear, Beloved Father God,
We praise you for your unfathomable,
unmeasurable,
and eternal love for us.
We pause on this Sabbath day,
As we let your deep compassion for each one of us
soak into our tired bodies
Our bewildered brains
And our fractured hearts.
We are so grateful for all the ways you’ve loved us
every hour of our lives
and for the countless moments of your care
that we never even noticed,
or ever paused to thank you for.
And so we pause to thank you now…
And we thank you deeply with all of our hearts.
Today we come to you with all kinds of concerns.
May we be aware of your deep compassion
for every hurting human being.
You are with us always,
whatever this fractured world throws into our path
And whatever lies heavy on our hearts…
You care so tenderly care for each of our personal pains.
We are so glad that we know and love a God like you
Who loves us more than we will ever know…
And we look forward to the day
When you will tell us your story of our lives
And we will learn every tiny detail of your care for us.
And we will be amazed…
Father God we also come to praise you
For the wonderful work we see you doing every day
Throughout our Trans-European Division.
We know that your kingdom work is being done here
in a billion ways
from the imperceptible
to the incomprehensible.
Father God,
May we open our hearts
to be filled with the daily outpouring of your love for us
So that we can capture every possible drop
And channel it into the lives around us
Extending love to all those that are hurting and broken.
May we be your loving disciples,
Following you and learning from you
How to grow lives of love and gratitude and service
And may we reach out to those around us
Growing and learning together
Encouraging each other
As we grow deeper into your likeness
living spirit-filled, fruitful and beautiful lives,
Using the gifts you have given to us
To make disciples that also extend your love to others.
And may we live and love together in ways
that grow and multiply communities
Magnetic with your love and kindness
Extending love to all those around,
So that through this process of loving, learning and sharing
Your kingdom will grow
In ways that bring joy to us and to you.
And it is our prayer that on this Sabbath day
That you will move amongst us and perturb our lives…
So that our vision of You will be clarified
And our understanding of Your love will be magnified.
And we will leave this place empowered
To extend love to each person we meet
To encourage others in their unique journeys of discipleship
And to multiply loving communities
throughout the territory of the Trans-European Division.
This we pray with all our hearts and minds and souls.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
