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Study Leader emphasizes the power of praying together in session 2
June 6, 2019 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Study Leader the Rev. Dr. Vance Ross returned for a second session Thursday afternoon during the 2019 Annual Conference.
“I know you were blessed this morning,” said Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb. “And now you will be blessed again.”
Similar to the first study session, Rev. Ross discussed a Bible reading – this time Romans 12:1-2 – and presented the Conference with three assertions paired with questions for reflection to “think about what it means for our lives, for our ministries, and for ourselves.”
Praying together elevates sacrifices that live
In the reading, Paul calls for a sacrifice – not one of blood and guts, nor one of ritual, but rather he calls for a committed life, Rev. Ross explained.
This session of Annual Conference has a large focus on voting.
“As we vote, are we voting for living sacrifices?” Rev. Ross asked. “Are we voting for people and issues of character? Do we look for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, generosity, and self-control?
“The life Paul invited and presents as sacrifice has fruit that is found in character, in spirit.”
The he posed the question, “How will Paul’s appeal, the value of sacrifice, impact my voting for both legislation and delegation election?”
Praying together finds sacrifice as worship more so than acquisition
This assertion is about action. Paul had been discussing ideas, consideration, reflections, and notions, but then there is a shift from “the idea to the concrete, from theology to ethics, from thinking to doing,” Rev. Ross said.
“Prayer should be consequential; prayer should impact how we live and how we give,” he said. “The text says present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Then he asked the crowd to reflect on, “How does our acquisition translate to our sacrifice?”
Praying together finds lives that are transformed
“We practice through means of grace so we won’t be mean and ugly, but we don’t ignore the meanness and ugliness either,” Rev. Ross said. “Praying together finds lives that are transformed.”
Rev. Ross told the story of a poor boy who was given an assignment to write about what he would like to do in the future. He dreamed of owning a ranch and compiled a thorough report. But his teacher gave him an F. The two later had a meeting, where the teacher said the boy’s paper was completely unrealistic and gave him the chance to re-write the essay. The boy responded, “Teacher, you keep the F; I’m keeping my dream.”
“The transformed mind is a mind that keeps God’s dream,” Rev. Ross said. “Transformed minds dream love and justice across the earth. Transformed minds dream the gifts of all people … transformed minds dream God’s dream for this world.”
The final question for reflection: “What must you begin, or continue, or eliminate, to live in the transformed mind of God?”
“Let’s have the courage, the audacity, and the unmitigated love to dream God’s dream, praying in the closet and not being scared of our comfort zone being pushed,” Rev. Ross said.