Prayer Resources

• Letter from Bishop Sue 
• North Georgia Conference Bulletin Insert (PDF) 
• http://umcprays.org/
• Watch video on Praying Our Way Forward

Pray for Members of the Commission

Please pray by name for the 32 members of the Commission on a Way Forward:

• Jasmine Rose Smothers
• Jorge Acevedo
• Brian Adkins
• Jacques Umembudi Akasa
• Tom Berlin
• Matt Berryman
• Helen Cunanan
• David Field
• Ciriaco Francisco
• Grant Hagiya
• Aka Dago-Akribi Hortense
• Scott Johnson
• Jessica LaGrone
• Thomas Lambrecht
• MyungRae Kim Lee
• Julie Hager Love
• Mazvita Machinga
• Patricia Miller
• Mande Guy Muyombo
• Eben Nhiwatiwa
• Dave Nuckols
• Casey Langley Orr
• Gregory Palmer
• Donna Pritchard
• Tom Salsgiver
• Robert Schnase
• Leah Taylor
• Debra Wallace-Padgett
• Rosemarie Wenner
• Alice Williams
• John Wesley Yohanna
• Alfiado S. Zunguza

About The Commission on a Way Forward

• Council of Bishops Offers 'A Way Forward,' General Conference Delegates Approve Plan 
• Council of Bishops to Call for 2019 General Conference 
• Commission on a Way Forward on Facebook
• Smothers Named to Commission on a Way Forward 

Times of Prayer

If your church is hosting a special prayer time or has set aside times for your chapels/sanctuaries to be open for prayer, please let us know by email to communications@ngumc.org. 

• Please join Bishop Sue in prayer each night at 9 p.m.
• Rev. Tom Atkins of Gateway UMC and Rev. Joe Gunby of Oconee St. UMC are preparing and will lead a special prayer service at Young Harris Memorial UMC (973 Prince Ave., Athens) at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 22.
• Trinity on the Hill UMC Augusta has set aside set 40 days of prayer to study and pray for the Commission on a Way Forward with a special emphasis March 19-25. 

Prayer Wall

North Georgia United Methodists are invited to submit a one- to two-line prayer for The United Methodist Church. Email your prayer along with your name to communications@ngumc.org.

Prayer From Bishop Sue
Gracious God, we pray for the Way Forward Commission and Our Council of Bishops.

Deliver them, Almighty God, from the service of self alone, that they may do the work you have given them to do, in truth, and beauty, and for the common good, for the sake of the one who comes among us as one who serves, the One who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lighten their loads, O God, and give them the gift of time and space to focus on this work.

Make them quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

Give them hearts of peace and help them seek first to understand, then to be understood.

Let them be fully open to the creative, transforming power of your Holy Spirit.

Keep them mindful, first and foremost, of our sacred mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world, and may all they do further and enhance this mission.

Breathe on us, breath of God, fill us with life anew, that we may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
—Bishop Sue

Prayers From Across Our Conference

Almighty God, you provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide your people on their journey from slavery to freedom. We pray for the members of the Commission on a Way Forward - for their families and their work - as they discern your will for the United Methodist Church. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
—Rev. Herzen Andone

Lord, I pray that the Commission On A Way Forward will follow your guidance in their deliberations, regardless of convenience or inconvenience, “let Thy will be done.” Amen!
—Rev. Moses Woodruff

“It is our prayer that God’s will be heard; that our leaders choose to follow not their own hearts, but God’s.”
—Montana Hamby

God, we thank you for your gift of the Church.  We pray for your Spirit to speak clearly among the Commission On A Way Forward.  We pray for the United Methodist Church.  Give us the courage to do your will and move your way together - not for our gain, but because you love us and you desire us to proclaim the Good News, bind up your love, proclaim your freedom, and loosen the chains of the imprisoned. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
—Rev. David Wofford

For the Commission, I pray Your ears, Your heart, Your love, and Your wisdom. Give each member faith. Help them to recognize Your way out of the clamor of our ways. Anoint these representatives so they will seek You first, then Your solution. Give Commission Members patience, perseverance, and courage to discern Your heart. Make Your will clear in midst of this forward seeking conference.
—Rev. James Gwin

Gracious and loving God, pour your Holy Spirit upon the women and men whom you have chosen for this holy and glorious task. Speak words of wisdom, love, calm, peace, hope, challenge, and future to each one of them individually and to all collectively. I pray a special portion of your grace on their families as they are away from them during these days, may the families know your presence in the absence of their loved ones. Almighty God, may your will and your desire for your United Methodist Church be ours as well. Help us in these days loving Lord. 
—Rev. Dana Everhart

Lord, as we seek a way forward, help us to remember that the Way is you. Guide our leaders that that may place you first so that the path may be revealed. Amen.
—Rev. Dr. Tonya Lawrence

Eternal and Everlasting God, you have led your people through desert places, hardships and adversity in times past: always present, always loving, always guiding, and always going before.  Give us courage to follow now where you lead us we pray.  Have mercy upon this commission that seeks your will for this church.  Give them courage, wisdom, insight, compassion and direction.  Amen.
—Rev. Dr. David Naglee

Almighty God, You have created and brought each of these minsters to this appointed time to serve you. Allow them to seek you with their whole heart to discern your truths and your will in the process. Allow them to come together in the end of this journey, knowing they have heard the mighty thundering of your voice as clarity in moving forward in the church as you would have it be. May the Holy Spirit provide them with the discerning spirit and endurance through this next year. May only your will be done in the precious name of your son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
​—Leslie Pender

Loving God, whose grace is always sufficient, may the Commission be filled with the sure knowledge of your eternal love; may their thoughts be your thoughts; their words your words.  May their decisions fully live into Jesus’ commandment to “go and make disciples of all the nations.”  Amen
​—Rev. Kathie Stasko

Gracious God - who breathes life into us daily, may you continue to breathe life into your church. May we passionately live out your mission every day and may we be surrounded by your comforting presence as we step into uncomfortable situations. Be with all our leaders who are part of "The Way Forward" so that they listen to you so closely that they speak words from your heart. 
​—Rev. Shannon Karafanda

May the Commission use the Wesleyan Quadrilateral in its recommendations on Human Sexuality: Scripture, Tradition, Experience, and Reason and may the unity of the UMC be preserved.   
​—Rev. Terry Phillips

View All Prayers from North Georgia United Methodists