People described as both bad and good were included

Only the respectable people were brought in

The servants sorted people before bringing them in

The people are described as reclining at the table

Welcome people broadly instead of screening them first

Invite only people who already seem acceptable

Wait until people prove they deserve a place

Keep the circle tight so the gathering stays manageable

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you to forgive me, welcome me, and make me new. Be my Lord and Savior, and bring me into your kingdom and your joy. Amen.

Come to the Feast

Lord, revive your church to go where people are and to welcome the unexpected with grace. Break down our narrow habits, make us generous with your invitation, and fill your house with people from every place. Give us a heart that keeps gathering until there is room for more, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Send Us Out Again

Give thanks to God for a welcome that reaches beyond the familiar, for the grace that gathers people we might not have chosen, and for the gift of belonging at his table.

Thanks for Your Wide Welcome

Pray by naming one person or group you tend to overlook. Ask God to widen your heart, then ask for one concrete way to make room for them this week.

Pray for a Wider Welcome

Pray for those who feel judged, ignored, or left out: that they would meet open doors, kind invitations, and a place where they can belong.

For People on the Margins

Lord, you are generous beyond our limits, patient beyond our expectations, and able to fill your feast with people from every place. We praise you for the wideness of your welcome and the richness of your mercy, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Praise for the God Who Fills the House

καὶ{KE###KEH###And} ἐξελθόντες{ek-sel-THON-des###ehk-sehl-THON-dehs###having gone out} οἱ{HEE###HEE###the} δοῦλοι{DOO-lee###DOO-lee###servants} ἐκεῖνοι{e-KEE-nee###eh-KEE-nee###those} εἰς{EES###EES###into} τὰς{TAS###TAHS###the} ὁδοὺς{ho-DOOS###hoh-DOOHS###roads} συνήγαγον{see-NEE-ga-gon###see-NEE-gah-gohn###(They) gathered} πάντας{PAN-das###PAHN-dahs###all} ⸀οὓς{HOOS###HOOS###whom} εὗρον,{HEV-ron###HEHV-rohn###they found} πονηρούς·{po-nee-ROOS###poh-nee-ROOHS###evil} τε{TE###TEH###both} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀγαθούς·{a-ga-THOOS###ah-gah-THOOHS###good} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἐπλήσθη{e-PLEES-thee###eh-PLEES-thee###was filled with} ὁ{HO###HOH###the} ⸀γάμος{GA-mos###GAH-mohs###wedding feast} ἀνακειμένων.{a-na-kee-ME-non###ah-nah-kee-MEH-nohn###those reclining}

Matthew 22:10 — FormalTAB

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