Today’s prayer for General Council comes from Rev. Nick Phillips. To view the archive of all prayers being offered in the lead up to GC43 click here.

“Lord,

I remember the day well, the day I was ordained 9 years ago today. I remember your Spirit feeling so very near hands were laid on me. I know this same Spirit is still with me today as I seek to be faithful to your call to serve.

I pray that this same Spirit will continue to guide me and lead me as I prepare for GC43. I have felt your call to serve your church in this capacity at this time in its ongoing story. Do I know what the future will hold? Do I even know what this meeting will hold? Of course not. But I do know you know. This gives me great hope. I know you have a plan for your church. Not the United Church of Canada specifically, but you have a plan for your Church, as flawed as it may often be.

But you forgive us our flaws, and you continue to call us to be even more faithful, even more obedient. Your grace and mercy is unending, and it is amazing.

So I pray for people like me today. People who have been elected to represent the voices of this embodiment of the church, who may be feeling overwhelmed by the volumes of material we must read, the enormity of the decisions we will make, and the pressure to do what is “best.”

You alone know what is best. Either way, you will still be with us, no matter what happens this summer. You will still be with our individual communities of faith, you will still love and guide your people. For this we give thanks.

I also pray for Nora, Jordan, Larry, Allan and all others who are preparing to host this meeting. May you guide their discussions and planning, may you bless their families as they are so busy right now. May you give them time to rest also.

There is so much more we pray for, and you know our needs, so I ask you to speak to all these prayers in your still, small voice, and may we have ears to hear your word to us.

I pray all these things in the strong name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.”