Prayers for General Conference 2016

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What is it?
General Conference is the official body of The United Methodist Church which meets once every four years with delegates from around the world. The conference can set policy, revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, and economic issues. They also approve budgets and set the tone for church-wide mission.  This year, they meet in Portland Oregon, over May 10-20, 2016.
   
Delegates from our Florida Conference.
(the nine on the left are laity. nine on the right are clergy)

So how can we pray?
· The theme of the 2016 General Conference is “Therefore Go.”  ...so we pray for the mission, vision and passion of The United Methodist Church especially for the next four years. You might also pray for your own grace and guidance to “go and make disciples” in your own country and local context?
· Pray for safety as participants travel
· Pray for genuine worship and prayer

· Pray that legislative decisions would be Christ-centered, Spirit-led, and in line with the mission/people/places where God is calling us
· Pray for all people involved: Delegates, alternates, bishops, conference officials (secretary, treasurer, administrative officer, etc.),  judicial council,  musicians, worship leaders,  volunteers and visitors
· Pray for the committees and the work they will do
· “Pray for God to guide delegates and church leaders as they prepare for General Conference. Pray that God would give them an understanding and loving heart; that all will have a spirit of humility and a desire to do God’s will;  and that the fruit of the Spirit would be evident in such a way that all who observe would sense that true Christian conferencing will take place.”  ~Bishop Al Gwinn


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