Monday, September 10, 2007

A Prayer for Episcopal Church Leaders

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. (I Corinthians 3:16-17, New Living Translation)

Holy God, you are merciful and patient, but we do not know and worship you if we deny your righteous judgment.

Please help Bishops and other Episcopal Church leaders who see the church as property instead of people.

Deliver them from the rash actions that divide and disperse your people.

Save them from the vanity of "keeping buildings" while people are wandering away.

Help them recognize that reckless decisions tear your people apart and grieve the Holy Spirit.

Open their ears and hearts as they say the Creed: remind them that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Warn them that you will destroy those who destroy the gathered people, your true temple.

Restore them to sober judgment, and make them good shepherds who will receive the unfading crown of life.

We pray in the Name of Jesus, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

4 comments:

Alice C. Linsley said...

Amen. Amen. Amen. Lord, hear our prayer, for your mercy is great.

Albany Intercessor said...

Amen. Come Holy Spirit and soften the hearts of your shepherds.

Alice C. Linsley said...

Only about one more week before the bishops convene in New Orleans. PB KJS has a new primatial oversight plan to float, but Bishop Iker says that it will sink. ABC Rowan wants to be sure there is enough wiggle room for people to keep talking, but it appears that just about everyone is tired of talking. So what will happen? One thing is certain, God can't be pleased when we fail to keep the adoration of Christ front and center. It will be difficult to sing HIS praises in the contentious environment surrounding the HOB gathering. We should pray for grace on those who seek God's glory first and foremost.

TLF+ said...

Amen, Alice. May God preserve and prosper the Holy remnant.