Prayer for World Communion Sunday

From the earth comes grain and wine
From the earth comes nourishment and quenching of thirst
From creation comes your people, O God.

From the trees comes the table
From the clay comes the plate and chalice
From creation comes your people, O God.

As your people go to the table – the table that we do not possess,
As your people go to the table – the table where all are welcome,
As your people go to the table — down the aisles, down the paths, down the way,
We go with the ones who were, the ones who are, and the ones who will be.

As we partake in the spirit of your love – a love unconditional,
As we partake in the spirit of your grace – a grace unconditional,
As we partake in the spirit of your community – a community of justice and welcome,
We partake with the ones here, there, beyond, far and with us.  

Bearer of love and giver of life, remind us of our collectiveness.
Bearer of Imago Dei and giver of Spirit, soften our hearts to the uniqueness in creation.
Bearer of liberation and giver of resilience, etch into our minds those who are not free, who are hungry, who are thirsty, who are forgotten and who are not welcome at the table.
Bearer of joy and giver of the divine banquet, dance with us down to the table for our communion we celebrate.

From the earth comes grain and wine
From the earth comes nourishment and quenching of thirst
From creation comes your people, O God.

Amen.


Lee Catoe, Managing Editor of Unbound, is a native of South Carolina and lives in Nashville, TN. He is in the ordination process in the Presbyterian Church USA and hopes for a day when all are welcome to the divine banquet.

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