The cattle and fattened animals have been slaughtered

The invited people must still supply the food

Keep delaying until it is more convenient

Treat the invitation as only informational

Assume you must make the meal ready yourself

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and gone my own way. I turn from my sin and from putting off your call. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord and ask you to bring me into the joy you have prepared for me. Thank you for receiving me. Amen.

Come Into What You Have Prepared

Lord, revive your Church with quick hearts and willing feet. Where we have delayed, stir us to respond; where we have grown careless, make us attentive again; where we have stayed silent, send us out to speak your welcome plainly. Renew us so that we point others to the joy you have prepared, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Wake Your Church to Answer

Father, thank you that your welcome is not improvised and your mercy is not half-prepared. Thank you that you make room, provide fully, and call people in with generosity. Teach me to receive your gift with gratitude, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for a Ready Welcome

Pray by naming one area where you have been slow to answer God. Ask him to make your heart ready, to clear away hesitation, and to show you the next simple step of obedience.

Pray for Readiness

Pray for people who have heard God's call but have not yet come: the distracted, the doubtful, the busy, and the hurting. Ask the Lord to help them hear the invitation clearly and respond with trust.

For Those Who Have Been Invited

Father, make my heart ready to receive what you have prepared. Free me from delay, distraction, and self-reliance. Teach me to answer your call quickly and gladly, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Me Ready to Come

πάλιν{PA-lin###PAH-leen###Again} ἀπέστειλεν{a-PE-stee-len###ah-PEH-stee-lehn###he sent} ἄλλους{AL-loos###AHL-loos###other} δούλους{DOO-loos###DOO-loos###servants} λέγων·{LE-gon###LEH-gohn###saying} Εἴπατε{EE-pa-te###EE-pah-teh###Tell} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###to the} κεκλημένοις·{ke-klee-ME-nees###keh-klee-MEH-nees###invited} Ἰδοὺ{i-DOO###i-DOO###Behold} τὸ{TO###TOH###the} ἄριστόν{a-ris-TON###ah-rees-TOHN###dinner} μου{moo###moo###my} ⸀ἡτοίμακα,{hee-TEE-ma-ka###hee-TEE-mah-kah###I have prepared} οἱ{HEE###HEE###the} ταῦροί{tav-REE###tahv-REE###oxen} μου{moo###moo###my} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} τὰ{TA###TAH###the} σιτιστὰ{si-tis-TA###see-tees-STAH###fattened calves} τεθυμένα,{te-thee-ME-na###teh-thee-MEH-nah###have been slaughtered} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} πάντα{PAN-da###PAHN-dah###everything} ἕτοιμα·{HE-tee-ma###HEH-tee-mah###is ready} δεῦτε{DEF-te###DEHF-teh###Come} εἰς{EES###EES###to} τοὺς{TOOS###TOOS###the} γάμους.{GA-moos###GAH-moos###wedding feast}

Matthew 22:4 — FormalTAB

More on this verse