CLT Prayer Initiative: Week 1
February 3, 2020 / By Rev. Harold Wheat
In this season, there are momentous preparations being made for our United Methodist community to part, possibly to multiply in new ways. How we do that matters. Over the next 20 weeks, members of your Conference Leadership Team will be sharing prayers designed to be used however the Spirit calls you to use them. Click here to read more about the prayer initiative.
This week's prayer is provided by the Rev. Harold Wheat.
“‘I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries.” (Zech. 10:9) According to God’s will Christendom is a scattered people, scattered like seed “into all the kingdoms of the earth.” (Deut. 28:25)’ (Bonhoeffer, 1954: 18)
Gracious God, a scattering of your United Methodist people is being considered. By you, by us, or by those who oppose your church unaware of what they are doing, it’s not yet clear. Leaning into the passing winds, we pause to recognize your transcendent grace and reaffirm our trust in your guiding Spirit. With the first followers of The Way of Christ we pray, “grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness while you stretch out your hand to heal.” (Acts 4:29-30) In whatever relational field we find ourselves, bless us to be healthy vessels of your love and grace so that we may be a blessing to those you send into our lives. We pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Works Cited:
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together. Trans. John Doberstein, (Harper & Row, NY; 1954).
Scripture not re-quoted from Life Together is taken from the New Revised Standard Version copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the national Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Click here to read about the authors participating in the Conference Leadership Team (CLT) Prayer Initiative.