Please join the Episcopal Church in praying for those attending our General Convention, happening in Baltimore, MD, July 8-11. Our deputation from Western Michigan includes Grace parishioner Matt Roney. The following are prayers suggested by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan.
July 1-6 – Prayers for the Preparation
Book of Common Prayer, p. 818
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who will take counsel at General Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us and them in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us and them to perceive what is right, and grant us all both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
July 6-7 – Traveling Collect
Deputy Linda Rathburn
Almighty God, all-powerful and loving, please strengthen and guide our Bishop Provisional and Deputies as they travel to (or from) the 80th General Convention in Baltimore. Thanks be to God, our Creator; Jesus, our Savior; and the Holy Ghost, our Comforter for our safe travels. Amen.
Friday, July 8th – Opening Day
Women’s Uncommon Prayers, p. 363
Assist us, Lord, in living hopefully into the future. In the face of change, help us to set unnecessary fears aside and to recognize our potential for creative response. Help us to develop a reasonable optimism when confronted by “the new” and to guard against our own defensiveness. Be with us as we remember and celebrate former times, and keep us from unreasonable yearning for them, which takes us from the work you have set before us at this 80th General Convention. All this we ask in the name of your Child, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saturday, July 9 — Day 2
Deputy Linda Rathburn
Dearest God, who lives in the midst of all Bishops and Deputies both individually and collectively, please lead all to both hear and heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit as all together decide how to resolve the various issues being addressed at this 80th General Convention. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sunday, July 10 — Day 3
Women’s Uncommon Prayers, p. 363
Almighty God, you have given our bishops and deputies responsibility for the leadership of the Church for a season.
Grant them patience, courage, and wisdom to discern your will amidst the many competing claims and conflicts of this
present time. Give them an appreciative memory for all who have gone before, and a strong clear vision of the Church of the future. Let them exercise their stewardship with energy and enthusiasm, so that, when the time comes, they may joyfully relinquish their tasks to those who will come after. We ask this in the name of our redeemer, Jesus Christ, who calls us all into fellowship and sends the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire us, generation after generation, that we may do all to your greater glory. Amen.
Monday, July 11 — Closing Day
Book of Common Prayer, (Collect 13)
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us forever: Bless, we pray, with your grace and presence, the bishops and other clergy and the laity assembled in your name at the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
July 12-13 – Traveling Collect
by Deputy Linda Rathburn
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who will take counsel at General Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us and them in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us and them to perceive what is right, and grant us all both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.