Our Sunday gathering at Scots is an opportunity for believers to grow as followers of Jesus and for inquirers to gain a better appreciation of what Christians believe and how Christian living looks. We need to talk about money in a way that is helpful for both groups.
We want to love believers by encouraging them to enter into the privilege of giving to gospel work and to do this in a way that inquirers will gain an understanding that a decision to follow Jesus will involve every area of life, including their money.
Visitors are often unsure what will be expected of them and whether they need to be ready, perhaps with little notice, to make a cash donation. For many people, their only experience of Christians has been when someone they don’t know asks them for money to keep the church going.
If you are introducing the Giving prayer, it is important to address both groups. The following wording is a guide. The key words to include are underlined.
If you are visiting at Scots, we want you to be our guest. We don’t pass a plate around and expect you to make a donation. Instead, we want you to hear about what God has to offer you, free of charge. A relationship with him that is rich and satisfying.
For our regulars, we want to encourage you to enter into the privilege of financially supporting gospel work in the city. You can do this by visiting our website (Get Involved, Giving) and setting up something regular, sacrificial, and sustainable.
Option 1
Heavenly Father, we pray for our financial giving. We ask that it might be used for your glory and the furtherance of your kingdom. Amen.
Option 2
Heavenly Father, Creator and Sustainer, all that we have has come undeserved from your gracious hand. Out of the abundance of what you have given to us we bring before you our financial gifts given online, in thanks and worship and praise. Amen.
Option 3
Gracious God, we bring back these gifts to you as a token of thanks for all your gifts, most especially the priceless gift of your son. We ask that these funds be used wisely that he might be honoured and glorified in our city anf throughout the world. Amen.
Option 4
Heavenly Father, thank you we can be part of a church family where people serve one another in many ways as the body of Christ. And we thank you especially that we can all serve in the ministry of financial supporting the work of the gospel together as you enable us to do so. Father, whether our contribution is large or small, we ask that you would fill us with joy and a sense of privilege that we can join you in the work that matters for all eternity.
Please give wisdom to our Committee of Management as they oversee our finances and steward the building you have provided us in this strategic location in the city. HF, take us and use us for your glory so that many in our city might come to know you. Amen.