Luke 19: 1 -10 Prayer for Gathering Around the Table
19 1-4 Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.
5-7 When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”
8 Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”
9-10 Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”
Lord, you have always welcomed all to your table.
We give thanks that you sat and shared meals with all people, revealing your presence in countless ways.
It is at the table that we engage with your people.
It is at the table that we learn, share, and build relationships.
It is at the table that we experience the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ,
and share in the blessings and bounty of your creation.
Yet today, Lord, many struggle to keep food on the table.
For too many, the table has become a place of worry and fear.
Will there be enough?
Will the children go hungry?
Will retirement funds stretch far enough?
Will people be forced to choose between food, heat, or rent?
Lord, it should not be this way.
Open the hearts of those who do not yet hear the cries for help.
