A Re-Visioning Prayer

The Place

The second Sunday in January, there was included in morning worship what I called “A Re-Visioning Prayer.” It was intended specifically for our situation at First United Methodist Church in downtown Hutchinson, KS, but I believe it could be applied anywhere and everywhere that people of faith and good will are looking for a new infusion of God’s guidance and grace.

The Purpose

This prayer is intended to guide us as we share together in the process of discerning, deciding, and discovering what it is we believe to be God’s purpose and direction for us as a congregation. This is a six month process for us to “re-vision our life and work as a church, including how we are governed and guided.”

The Possibility

I believe there is every possibility that God is inviting us–encouraging us, cajoling us, challenging us–to a renewed and deepened relationships–with God, one another, and in ministry to others. We will realize that possibility most fully and effectively, as we share together in prayer–individually and collectively.

The Prayer

God of grace and God of glory, you have called us to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

We ask your blessing and guidance as we discern, discover, and decide in the coming months your pur-pose and direction for us as a congregation.

Bless those who have accepted the invitation to help lead us in the process of re-visioning.

Bless each of us, as we faithfully participate in the ministries of this congregation by our prayers, our pres-ence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.

Bless all of us, that we might find the power and the passion that comes from your goodness and grace.

Empower us to find our way forward into the future with hope that you promise to those who seek you with all their heart. Amen.

The Power

My hope is that we will find the power that is evident in Joshua’s words in the Old Testament, “‘I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’”(Joshua 1:9)