Prayer before Gathering of Church Councils

God of hope,

We prepare to gather as your people —

a body with many parts,

a garden of your diverse creation,

a community that you have called and formed for just this time and place.

Breathe into us your transformative spirit.

Grow within us both the humility to listen and the confidence to speak.

Ground us in the comfort of your Word,

knowing that in all times and places, you have extended us a grace-filled invitation to partner in creating your kin-dom.

May we stay rooted in our call to serve as we seek to live into hope.

Amen.

Originally shared in the final “On the Road to General Assembly” newsletter before the 226th General Assembly (2024) in Salt Lake City, Utah.