A Prayer about Diversity and Unity in the Kingdom

King Jesus,

How thirsty our imaginations are 

for the vision of our new beginning 

in your new heavens and new earth. 

As we imagine the diversity and unity 

of your heavenly kingdom, 

we pray even more fervently,

Come, Lord Jesus, 

and unify all of the people of your church, 

even today.

Just as one day all the kings and queens and princes and princesses 

will come marching into your heavenly kingdom 

with all of their brightly colored array 

and different colored skin tones, 

even today, join us together.

In anticipation of the day we will worship you 

as the King of Kings, 

send us into unfamiliar cultural territory now — 

whether that’s swaying along to praise songs 

or shouting “Amen” to pastor’s preaching 

or serving squid at our potluck suppers.  

In anticipation of the day we will worship you 

as the King of Kings, 

open wide the doors of our hearts 

to welcome people who might feel like outsiders, 

that they might feel as comfortable as old family friends. 

In your glorious name we ask. Amen.

Read Revelation 21:22-22:5.