“Pray A Little Prayer – For The Journey”

Rev. John Shaver

Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 9:30am – Livestream Worship

“In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, since we do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words…” Romans 8:26

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus…” Romans 15:5

Dear SDUMC Family,

As always, I pray this finds you each doing well. I’ve attempted to write and re-write e-news for the last few weeks numerous times. I don’t have the words (that is why I am so thankful for the passage from Romans). Every time I sit down to write, I’m full of numerous emotions by what I’m witnessing in the news or reading on people’s social media accounts (I guess that many of you feel this way too). As I’ve prayed this week, one phrase continued to leap out at me “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and it reminded me that as we listen, learn, find ways to move forward in unity, we must also remember to pray. Throughout the Bible, God has called us to be people of unity.

We, as followers of Jesus, have work to do. God is calling on God’s people to open our ears to the cries of the oppressed, to open our eyes to the evil around us, to open our hearts, and to open our hands to do the work of justice: Your kingdom come, God, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

UMC Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterlings shared a prayer and a call for all United Methodists,

Now is the time beloved. Either we are living our faith, which teaches that the greatest of all is love, or we are not. Now is the time.

Now is the time. Either we believe that we are all created in the Imago Dei, or we do not. Now is the time.

Now is the time. Either we believe there is no Jew or Greek, no slave or free, no male or female, or we do not. Now is the time.

Now is the time. Either we embrace The Sermon on the Mount, or we do not. Now is the time.

Now is the time. Either we believe Christ came that ALL may have life, and have it to the full, or we do not. Now is the time.

Now is the time.

Now is the time.

This Sunday, we will come together on our Live Stream Worship at 9:30 a.m. and discuss the way that Jesus reveals to the disciples and all of us that prayer calls us to be the people of unity that God created us to be. We will have several amazing pieces of music, and I look forward to joining with all of you, my church family in our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. I hope you know that I am so grateful for a church family that continues to answer the call that God has placed upon our lives, and may we continue to follow the call of unity in the days to come. Now is the time!

Grace, Peace, Prayers, and Gratitude,

John