Praying Our Way Forward- February 19

You are our life, O Lord.  Receive our prayers, offered not only in words but also in spirit, by which we come asking, seeking, and knocking for our hearts’ desires.  Grant comfort to all who hope in you. We give you thanks for the gift of your Church and for the mystery of your love in each other.  Lord of the Harvest, “send out laborers into the harvest,” that we like the early church may minister in this beautifully diverse world as you consecrate our efforts to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. Guide the hearts of those who have been selected and appointed at this time to exercise discernment on behalf of the church.  Grant them knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength, that their delight be the fear of the Lord. May your Light direct our prayers, conversations, actions, and decisions so that we may be more closely drawn to Jesus, your Son, our Savior, the Light of the World.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Blessed Consoler, Comforter, and Teacher, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus rather than being distracted by the storms that surround us, for we know he is with us in every tempest.  Keep us faithful in all we do, especially in our work for unity, that we might be one in the faith of Christ.  Amen.

Bishop Paul Leeland Resident Bishop of Western North Carolina Conference

Read more about this prayer emphasis at umcprays.org