Wednesday 30 January 2013


Brothers and sisters in Christ,

For some time I’ve had a growing uneasiness as I consider people's various responses to the changes facing Methodism and the direction of travel we have embarked on. Not, I hasten to add, because of my own personal opinions on the rights or wrongs of any recent decisions made by conference or proposed by the leadership. I genuinely believe this uneasiness is being used by God to provoke me to exhort us all to pray fervently for one another.

My concern comes from the polarisation of views and opinions that have been so readily given, and at times the tone in which that has happened. When division is apparent in the Church, a new, more prayerful path should be sought. In no way do I suggest that the path we are on is wrong – what I do suggest is that despite differing views we join together in praying that God will continually lead us. Heated debate and letters show the depth of feeling, hurt and even fear that many are feeling when considering the future of the Methodist Church. Regardless of our own opinions, can we not set aside time to pray with one another?

So then let us pray, and in particular I exhort you to pray in groups. As Ash Wednesday quickly approaches, let us take and create every opportunity to gather with those around us to pray on that day. Asking God to help us dig deep into the DNA of our Methodist roots and rediscover our mission and passion. Praying also that we will be shown a godly path…a path free from dispute but not discussion, a path free from incriminations and flavoured with love and respect for our sisters and brothers (Colossians 4: 2-6).

So on Ash Wednesday I will be inviting others from my locality to join with me in prayer. Would you please consider doing the same?


12 comments:

  1. Hi Elaine. Bless you for responding to God's call in this way. We will pray in Louth and I shall take Colossians 4:2-6 as the text for our Ash Wednesday Service. David

    ReplyDelete
  2. We, too, shall be praying at our meditative Rainbow Service on Ash Wednesday afternoon in the village of Draycott-in-the-Clay near Uttoxeter. Thank you for stirring us to action.
    May God continue to bless you.
    Stella

    ReplyDelete
  3. We are with you to pray and do trust that prayer has a power to change anything.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Elaine, I will join you in prayer for our church. Prayer must be the foundation for our future. We are the Body of Christ here on earth, we must stay united to serve him despite differing opinions. Bless you for the call to prayer. Fran Lane

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for this God-given idea. I will pray for the Methodist Church on Ash Wednesday in one if my churches and invite others to join me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you Elaine, we will join with you

    ReplyDelete
  7. Elaine, Plymouth Methodist Central Hall staff will be praying at 9am, I will be praying lunch time in the prayer chapel (others invited) and we will include prayers in Ash Weds evening service. The nation needs a strong church... Dave

    ReplyDelete
  8. Buckley & Deeside (North Wales) will be praying at three '8two8'events during the day, beginning with a prayer breakfast. Thank you Elaine for giving us the impetus to get on our knees (if only metaphorically). Rosemarie Clarke

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bless you.....so delighted that people are responding positively to this, both on this forum and via email. Hearing from lots of people who are opening churches & homes & inviting people to join them in prayer. Our hope is in Christ.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for inspiring and provoking so many of us, Elaine. We're holding a prayer gathering at Marlow Methodist Church this afternoon at 1.30pm leading into our Wednesday fellowship based on Luke 9:51-62 - and our Wednesday small group will join in this evening...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Elaine,
    Thanks for this. I have had a prayer burden for the changes in learning and development too, and personally I have two prayers I keep praying;
    Firstly that I am able to remain non-bitter about changes to my own role, and that I can be constructive in my dealings with all involved. And secondly my prayers are for the D&M team who are having to implement the conference decision.
    Of course if I had thought about it I would know that others are praying too, but I hadn't stopped and thought about it, so thank you very much for putting this out there and giving us opportunity to know that we are part of a community of pray-ers.
    Love to you Elaine
    Alison

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think Alison's words about remembering 'we are part of a community of prayers' are very helpful. Thank you all for your comments.

    ReplyDelete