Dear Lord God,
You are the great and only I AM. We rejoice in who you are as our living God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What comfort and peace this gives us, along with knowing you are in control of everything!
We confess we are broken. We repeatedly try to avoid things we know must be addressed, but may also bring pain. When we are where we don’t want to be and want to move on, we often hurt others in our frustration and impatience.
We thank you for seeing us through previous difficulties. Because of your past provision we know you will continue to provide for us in the present and in the future. You remind us in Jeremiah 29:11 that you have plans for us; to give us a future with hope. We are grateful that even though we may not understand why we experience hard situations, we later see that all along you were preparing the way while working in, and through, each of us. We are drawn closer to you, and our relationship with you is deepened. The joy we experience as your plan is unfolding renews us and further equips us to be the church you call us to be.
Following you is not burdened with rules and regulations made by man. It is simply living out the two commandments Jesus gave us in Mark 12 to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We pray for you to allow us to see each person as you see them, and love them as you love them. Even though we fall short, may we always earnestly seek this with the help of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you for many things throughout this upcoming journey. First, may we faithfully continue doing the work you call us to do as instruments of your will. Secondly, may we all open our hearts, minds and spirits to what you are calling each of us to do as your children. Give us the heart of Jesus with love, grace, compassion, humility, wisdom, gentleness, patience and self-control. Finally, may each of us be deliberate and intentional in quieting ourselves to truly allow your Holy Spirit to guide us. May we then lovingly listen to others. When our time comes to speak, may it be with love and grace. May we show honor and respect in our words, tone, body language, and written correspondence.
We pray for your worldwide church, the United Methodist Church, our Genesis church, and the LBGTQ+ community. May we together genuinely seek your truth and your will. As you reveal this truth to us, may we embrace it, live it, and heal lovingly together in it. We cannot do this on our own. We need you, our precious God.
We are thankful we can be confident in your guidance in the days ahead. You go before us to prepare us for this journey, are with us during it, and will see us through to the glorious future you have for us as your church.
All honor and glory be yours, our dear God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Prayer written by Cindy Clowers