God, Lead and Guide Us from The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 22 January 2017

God, Lead and Guide Us from The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 22 January 2017

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2017
A Prayer from Bishop Frank J. Beard, resident bishop of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference:
God of grace and glory,
Thank you that we can depend upon you in this and every time of need. We rejoice in your goodness, faithfulness, and in the daily renewal of your mercy. We are reminded that you transform our darkness with the light of your glorious presence. We are encouraged when we remember all that you have brought us through.
We ask you now, O Lord, to lead and guide us in the task of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We pray that you grant to us the wisdom, discernment, and focus that is needed to achieve our mission. We pray that you enable us to navigate the distractions and pitfalls that would distract us from accomplishing your desire. We ask for your guidance and direction in traversing the tough terrain that we face as a denomination. We pray for assistance and sensitivity as we seek a Way Forward. Guide us with the light that radiates from your presence.
Please pour out your Holy Spirit upon us. Overshadow us with your divine presence and lead us into the future that will best serve you and advance the reign and rule of Christ. Send the gentle wind of your Holy Spirit to blow upon the embers of our hearts and keep us aflame for Jesus. Amen.
The people of Illinois Great Rivers Conference are leading the church in prayer this week. To see when your annual or central conference has committed to pray, view the schedule that goes through May 2018.
The Commission on the Way Forward gathers for its first face-to-face meeting this week. Read this article by United Methodist News Service that shares the hope and prayers from several of the commission members.
Praying Our Way Forward is a spiritual initiative of the Council of Bishops to create a groundswell of focused prayer for the United Methodist Church. It is in partnership with The Upper Room, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, and United Methodist Communications. You receive regular emails from the prayer community when you joined at www.umcprays.org. Encourage others to sign-up at the website.

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