Rev. Duane Coates, Hettinger UMC, invites all United Methodists in the Dakotas to join  in Praying our Way Forward this week August 20-26, 2017. 

Holy and mysterious God. You gave birth to your Church through the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ. Now the body of that Church, at least in United Methodist expression, is threatened to be torn apart, crucified on the altar of contemporary interpretation of your inspired Word.

We confess that we seek to have our own way and that we have baptized and confirmed our preferences so long ago that they seem like mature disciples that serve us well.

Forgive us, God, and fit us for the clothes of repentance, dressed not to serve the dictates of our own preferences, but rather as servants of your ineffable Majesty. Help us to listen to the One who continually says, “Fear not,” and “follow me.” We pray that your Holy Spirit will show us a way, a way forward together and through our conflict, a way to greater unity, to broader compassion, a sharper message of love and a clearer witness to justice. Amen.

Photo by Dave Stucke.

Prayers will be posted throughout the day—morning, noon and evening, during the week of August 20-26, 2017.  Click here to view all of the prayers.