Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:24-26
This week United Methodist Jurisdictional Conferences will be held all over the United States. The main order of business will be to elect new Bishops to fill vacancies left by the retirement or death of previous Bishops. Lots of people in our conference office are involved in jurisdictional conference here. As I prepared for leading worship this morning here at the office, I looked for a story that would parallel. What I found was Acts 1:15-25 where the 11 apostles fill the vacancy left by Judas. The words that jumped off the page were, "Show us which one of these two you have chosen." It doesn't say show us who to chose. Help us with our decision. It says show us the one you have chosen.
I have prayed many times for God to guide my decisions. I have never prayed for God to reveal to me God's choice for me. I think this will change the way I pray when I come to forks in the road of life.
Loving God, pour your Spirit on all those gathering for jurisdictional conference. Show them the ones you have chosen to take the place in the ministry of leadership in our denomination. Amen.
4 comments:
Blessings to you, m-lr.
Blessings on your Conference and those chosen this week.
As a member of our church's Pastor Nominating Committee, I pray this prayer often these days...and also pray for our new pastor, whom God has already chosen.
What a great reminder and prayer for Jurisdictional Conference - especially as my Annual Conference will likely be getting a new bishop.
I shared this entry with a fellow delegate just before we began session this morning. Thanks.
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