A prayer for General Convention 2006

Written by my theology professor in seminary, Dr. Peter Toon. Dr. Toon is president of the Prayer Book Society. This prayer was found on his blog at www.anglicansatprayer.org

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O Lord our God, who in thy mercy doth both see and know the confusion of disordered minds, hearts and wills within the leadership and membership of the Episcopal Church, regard with pity, we beseech thee, all members of this Church. Especially, look with loving-kindness upon those who are to be present at the General Convention.

By thy light we see light, and we know that such is the present depth of the rejection of the revelation and law, and rebellion against thy perfect will amongst Episcopalians, and even in our own hearts, lives and families, that we cannot but tremble before thy Majesty and Holiness in fear of thy just judgment. We confess with shame that our love of the present evil age with its debased culture has been so intense that we have sought to be guided by it and to adjust our church doctrine and morality to agree with it.

Yet within this darkness, that we have caused to descend upon ourselves, we give thee grateful thanks that thou hast caused lights to shine upon us from churches overseas. In fact, thou hast caused churches, which only came into existence when the Episcopal Church had been around many years, to become the means of making many Episcopalians aware of how they were failing to hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to obey his commandments. In the midst of our self-imposed confusion and sinfulness, thou hast caused a ray of hope to appear.

Not for our sake, but for the sake of thy well-beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us all, we beseech thee, O Lord. And, most particularly, have great pity upon the members of the General Convention, we pray. Make each and every one of them aware of their total dependence upon thy grace and providence. Plant in their souls the desire to search for, know and do thy will for this Church. Give them the wisdom and courage to do all that in them lies to work for the reform and renewal of the Episcopal Church. And, O God our Father, regard with especial pity the house of bishops, called to be shepherds of the flock of Christ. So chastise them in thy love that they will learn to love thee with new zeal, inspiration and enlightenment. Grant that what thy Word teaches and requires they will delight to proclaim and implement. Let there be revival in this branch of thy Church and let it come in such a way as to point to thy wisdom, grace and glory.

We acknowledge before thee, our Lord and God, that thou hast perfect knowledge of where this Church is now and where it needs to go in the future to please thee. By thy providence and through thy Spirit, and in thy great mercy and grace for the sake of thy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, work in our midst, we beseech thee. Work, we pray, to the end that an erring and disobedient people may become a humble, believing and obedient people, and that thereby the Episcopal Church will by its worship, doctrine and living, in submission to thee, adorn the Gospel of the same Lord Jesus Christ in the years to come to the glory of thy holy Name.

Amen.