Living, loving God,
For the guidance of your Holy Spirit in the formation, the development, and the diverse ministries of the World Council of Churches:
– we give you thanks!
For wisdom gained through interaction with ecclesial colleagues, pilgrims together on the way of Jesus:
– we give you thanks!
For new ways of being church, freshly revealed as we work together in ecumenical councils to advance your kingdom on earth and the unity of your followers:
– we give you thanks!
For times when the church’s witness has brought shame on your name:
– we seek your forgiveness, O God.
For times when insistence that our particular heritage has more value than that of other parts of your church:
– we seek your forgiveness, O God.
For times when decision-making in councils of your church has felt like a polarising, hard-fought battle, more than a genuine seeking to discern your will for your church:
– we seek your forgiveness, O God.
For the opportunity to pray together, to listen to each other, to discern together your leading for your church throughout the world:
– we commit ourselves this day.
For the integrity to learn from our mistakes, and to not give in to disillusionment when things don’t work as planned in our mission endeavours:
– we commit ourselves this day.
For hearts filled with eagerness as your people together on your way:
– we commit ourselves this day.
In the name of Jesus our Lord we bring this prayer.
Amen
(Dr Jill Tabart,
National president, UCA, 1994-1997; consensus mentor, WCC 9th Assembly)