Prayers of the People from the Bishop's Address Committee - Council 2024
In response to the 2024 Bishop's Address, the Committee on the Bishop's Address offers the following Prayers of the People.
Let us pray.
We give thanks for the ministry of bishops and their families: those near and far, past and present, for our own Bishop David Read, and the bishops we are blessed to have among us at this Council. We pray that their hard work may bear good fruit for your kingdom, and that our leaders will find us eager to follow, gracious to listen, and inspired to change.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God of Robert, Steptoe, and David; God of Artemisia, Katy, and Jennifer, thank you for blessing our diocese with leaders of courage, commitment, and creativity. As we celebrate our sesquicentennial, pour out that same missionary spirit on this gathering, sending us forth into this new frontier to seek out new life and new ministry expressions; to boldly go where the Holy Spirit has gone before.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the chief cornerstone, and in You we are being built together to become a dwelling of the Holy Spirit. We pray for the building up of your Church in this corner of Texas. We give you thanks for the leadership of Canon Leyla King and her enthusiasm for small churches with big impacts. Bless and guide the Congregational Development department as they support, resource, train, and encourage congregations of all sizes.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord, you are making all things new. We pray for the courage to seek new frontiers in our growing communities, so that we may build relationships with neighbors new and old. We ask your blessing upon our next church plant and upon the Church Planting Task Force, that your Spirit would guide them and empower them in their mission.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
In the sixth chapter of Acts of the Apostles we see the calling and consecration of the first deacons for the church. We are grateful, O God, for the office and work of deacons, who are called to serve the least among us. Guide our Bishop and the diocesan study group as they explore how we might reclaim this ancient and sacred ministry for the Diocese of West Texas.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O God, You imbued the Church in West Texas with a restless missionary spirit from its earliest days. We give thanks this day for our sister Marthe Curry. In her 25 years leading the World Missions Department, she has made us ever mindful of the needs of others well outside our church walls and across borders. Help us to listen faithfully to where you are calling us in this next season of World Mission in the Diocese of West Texas.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee. Thank you for the wealth you have entrusted to us for your good purposes. Guide us in faithful stewardship for the sake of your Kingdom. Pour out your Holy Spirit, and make us cheerful givers, and always grateful for the generous sacrifice of your Son, Jesus, who gave everything for our sake. Amen.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, you know what it is like to be a stranger in a strange land. Have mercy on those crossing our borders, as well as those who work and serve there. In the midst of our political divisions, unite our church in love for those fleeing their lands. Thank you for Flor and for the ministry at Plaza De Paz, and enable us to see you in the face of the stranger and sojourner, for we were once strangers and sojourners too. Amen.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look graciously on the Diocese of West Texas, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Bishop Suffragan for this diocese, that we may receive a faithful, energetic pastor, who will assist our Bishop, care for your people, and equip us for the work of ministry.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Everliving God, whose will it is that all should be drawn to your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our conviction to Lift High the Cross of our Lord Jesus, that we may combine in conquering ranks to proclaim the hope of his resurrection and that all may adore his sacred Name.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Committee on the Bishop’s Address:
The Rev. Alex Holloway, Chair
The Rev. Jan Dantone
The Rev. Brian Fox
The Rev. Christian Hawley
The Rev. Sam Hunnicutt
Mr. Daniel Jaime
Ms. Mary Hayden-Manning
Mrs. Margarita Mejia
The Rev. Claudia Nalven
Mr. Jim Sartwelle
Mr. Dan Walker
- Click here to save a printable copy of the 2024 Prayers of the People.
- Click here to save a printable copy of the 2024 Prayers of the People in Spanish.
