A PRAYER FOR OUR NEW PASTOR
You are not alone. And as John Wesley reminds us, “best of all God is with us.”
Almighty God,
You who called the universe into being,
You who formed our inmost being and called us to be your people:
We give you thanks for you constant presence.
Through seasons of constancy and even change, you are with us – calling us into deeper waters, calling us together in your spirit of unity, calling us out of ourselves into the world to serve others.
Grant our new pastor bring called into new waters that he might hold fast to unending love and mercy – a love that promised to hold onto us even as we go where your Spirit leads us. May our church receive him as a community of mercy and grace.
May his prior congregation experiencing loss and change hold fast to the promise that your mission is bigger than any single pastor, local church, or annual conference. Grant that such a promise would bring both comfort and discomfort – comfort in a season of change and discomfort as it drives us all to love you and each other more.
Strengthen us to be your Church in all times and seasons of life – a place where all are truly welcomed and embraced in your love (even new pastors and church members); a place where we find ways you are active among us and calling us to join in your saving work (even in communities that weren’t our top choice to move to); a place where the story of your love and grace and mercy are embodied (even if it comes in shapes and sizes and languages that are new to us).
We offer our prayers in the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
You are not alone. And as John Wesley reminds us, “best of all God is with us.”
Almighty God,
You who called the universe into being,
You who formed our inmost being and called us to be your people:
We give you thanks for you constant presence.
Through seasons of constancy and even change, you are with us – calling us into deeper waters, calling us together in your spirit of unity, calling us out of ourselves into the world to serve others.
Grant our new pastor bring called into new waters that he might hold fast to unending love and mercy – a love that promised to hold onto us even as we go where your Spirit leads us. May our church receive him as a community of mercy and grace.
May his prior congregation experiencing loss and change hold fast to the promise that your mission is bigger than any single pastor, local church, or annual conference. Grant that such a promise would bring both comfort and discomfort – comfort in a season of change and discomfort as it drives us all to love you and each other more.
Strengthen us to be your Church in all times and seasons of life – a place where all are truly welcomed and embraced in your love (even new pastors and church members); a place where we find ways you are active among us and calling us to join in your saving work (even in communities that weren’t our top choice to move to); a place where the story of your love and grace and mercy are embodied (even if it comes in shapes and sizes and languages that are new to us).
We offer our prayers in the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.