Truth to consider. Wisdom to keep. Prayer to carry.

WELCOME — A Word That Grants Permission

The word “welcome” comes from the Old English “wilcuma” — “the one whose coming is desired.” What we welcome is given permission to dwell, influence, and speak.

The word welcome comes from the Old English wilcuma.
It is formed from two simple but profound parts:

wil — desire, pleasure, will
cuma — one who comes

At its root, welcome does not mean tolerated, endured, or merely allowed to pass through. It means “the one whose coming is desired.”

To welcome something is to give it permission to dwell. What we welcome is no longer an intruder—it becomes a guest. And what becomes a guest is given space, influence, and voice.

This is why words matter. What we speak from the breath God has given us either opens the door—or closes it. Life and death move through what we choose to welcome.

A Prayer: Welcome — A Word That Grants Permission

Invocation | Who God Is

Father God,
You are the One who comes where You are desired.
You do not enter by force,
and You do not remain where You are merely tolerated.

God responds to invitation, not obligation. Desire precedes dwelling.

Revelation | What Welcome Truly Means

You have taught us that welcome is not passive.
It is will.
It is desire.
It is permission.

Welcome is an act of will, not a personality trait.

Reflection | Self-Examination

So today we pause before You—
to examine what we have welcomed into our lives.
Not what passed through,
but what we allowed to stay.
Not what knocked,
but what we invited in.

Temporary exposure is different from granted permission.

Discernment | The Weight of What We Welcome

You remind us that what we welcome is no longer an intruder—
it becomes a guest.
And what becomes a guest is given space, influence, and voice.

Guests shape atmosphere. What has been given a seat in your life?

Petition | Invitation for God’s Search

Search us, Lord.
Show us where our words have opened doors without our awareness.
Where tolerance replaced intention.
Where endurance replaced discernment.

Endurance without discernment can quietly become agreement.

Authority | The Power of Breath and Speech

You gave us Your breath, and with it the power to speak.
So teach us again how to speak wisely.
Let us remember that life and death move through what we choose to welcome.

Speech carries delegated authority; words authorize presence.

Alignment | A Conscious Welcome

Today, with clarity and humility, we welcome only what aligns with You.
We welcome truth, peace, wisdom, and right order.
We welcome Your presence—not as obligation, but as desire.

Alignment is a welcome with boundaries—and peace.

Release | Withdrawing Permission

And anything that does not come from You—anything never meant to dwell—
we quietly withdraw permission.

Authority does not need volume. Quiet clarity is enough.

Formation | Ongoing Training

Train our hearts to desire what is good.
Train our mouths to speak with care.
Train our lives to reflect the authority carried in the breath You placed within us.

Formation is the fruit of consistent welcome.

Closing | Resting Desire

Remain with us, Lord.
Not because You are tolerated,
but because You are deeply desired.
Amen.

God remains where He is desired.