We had a guest speaker a couple of weeks ago, Dave MacMillan of Wingspan Prayer Ministries. One of the phrases he used stuck with me:
Do you pray to transform your city?
I like the idea of transforming the city. I like the idea of the city reaching it’s full potential and reflecting the best of what the citizens are.
So last Thursday in the Southside housegroup we discussed how we would want to transform Glasgow. We all enjoy living here, but as with anywhere, there are things that we’d like to see improve. Here are a few of the dreams people have.
- A safer city centre in the evenings and weekends, particularly at night. (We are grateful for the work done by Glasgow Street Pastors.).
- For friends to find contentment in their lives, particularly those with unfulfilled dreams of their own.
- A more healthy city (alchohol, obesity, smoking).
- A less angry city.
- A deeper welcome extended to those who are new to the city, particularly those who don’t have close relationships through work, family or church.
- Less dependence on acquiring shiny new stuff, and more dependence on developing relationships.
As we’re planning for the next stage in the life of our church (more of this later), we want to use our dreams to drive our vision of a transformed city.
Glasgow’s motto is of course “Let Glasgow Flourish“, which is a shorter version of the text on the bell of the Tron Church cast in 1631
“Lord let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of thy word and praising thy name.”
Our dreams are simply a continuation of that desire to see our city flourish.
What are your dreams for Glasgow?
