Good News

In the middle of difficult times God calls His people to go into all the world with good news.  Jesus used these familiar words as He gave instructions to His disciples just before ascending into heaven:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:18-20

What’s the good news –

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

We can get so caught up in the events going on around us that we forget that their impact is just for a time – a few years at most. What really matters is that people have their hearts and lives set right with God for eternity.  That’s what we pray to focus on today and to allow God to do through us in our part of the world where we live today.  We’ll use some of our own words and also some words of others as we pray:

O God, you desire that all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth: Prosper all those who live, preach, and teach the Gospel at home and in distant lands.  Protect them in all perils, support them in their loneliness, sustain them in the hour of trial; give them your abundant grace to bear faithful witness.

Grant that our own hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. Lord Jesus, you commanded us to make disciples of all nations: Help us today to give our best efforts to spreading the Gospel.  Make us faithful and true witnesses to proclaim your glorious Name. Send down the grace of the Holy Spirit upon all your people, that we may give cheerfully and that the light of your truth may shine brightly in every place we go.

We give ourselves to You today.  Whatever our circumstances we want to be useful in Your service.  Amen

There’s a famous quote you probably know from St Francis that reminds us:

Preach the Gospel at all times.  When necessary, use words.

Let’s love our world and do all we can to share the good news of the Gospel with all we can today.