MAY 2017 MBUMC FOCUS PRAYER

MAY 2017 MBUMC FOCUS PRAYER

            You are invited to join the Prayer Ministry team in praying this prayer.

The Lord is our judge; the Lord is our leader: the Lord is our king—he will deliver us.

Isaiah 33:22 CEB

Holy Lord, we are many peoples; we are diverse peoples.  We have many needs and wants, many hopes and dreams, many troubles and ideas.  You have given us many gifts and perspectives, many thoughts and words.  But even in the midst of such abundance, we often struggle to find our way.  Still, we are unfocused: unclear what to do, how to speak, where to serve.  Lord, we need your instruction and guidance.

God, you chose Moses to lead your people.  You gave instruction to Moses, promised to be with him and answered his questions. (Exodus 3) You gave Moses great powers and provided a spokesman for him. (Exodus 4)  God, you gave Moses a clear plan, words to speak, where to go.  After Moses and the Israelites left Egypt, you stayed with the people.  “The Lord went in front of them during the day in a column of cloud to guide them and at night in a column of lightning to give them light.  The column of cloud during the day and the column of lightning at night never left its place in front of the people. “ (Exodus 13:21a, 22 CEB)

On the journey, the people had many complaints; Moses prayed earnestly to you, Lord, asking for your help.  God, you provided water, food, and victory in battle. (Exodus 15, 16, 17)  When Moses grew weary of settling the many disputes of the people, his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, gave Moses good and godly advice.  “Moses chose capable persons from all Israel and set them as leaders over the people, as officers over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. (Exodus 18:25 CEB) (Exodus 18:13-27)

Lord, we thank you for the leaders you have called and chosen in this community of faith, especially Josh, Christie, Hilda, Carrie and Cindy; and also Monte, Linda, Mickey, Rebecca, Sam, Jonathan, Kathy and the faithful members of each team. Thank you for their time, talents, gifts and service; thank you for their leadership, guidance and instruction. We lift up all these leaders in prayer and thanksgiving.  And most important, God, we thank you for your steadfast love and your plan for our lives.  All these things we pray in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

V3 He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
What e’er I do, where e’er I be, still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
  Refrain He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

H128, Words by Joseph H. Gilmore, 1862; music by William B. Bradbury, 1864