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| United Methodist Bishops in Prayer at the 2019 Special Session of General Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS |
Saturday, February 23 — The day began with a sense of humility. The Dome at America’s Center, a former NFL football stadium, was filled with prayerful thoughts, thanksgiving, and unity, even with the knowledge that what laid ahead for the assembled delegates would be difficult and would test their spirit.
From the US, to Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines; the prayers remained a consistent surrender to God’s will, an embrace of the Lord’s everlasting love and grace, and thankfulness for one another.
“Today has been an amazing day where we have gathered with delegates and bishops from around the world, to be in prayer thanking God for the many ways that God continues to use the United Methodist Church here in the United States, and globally as well.” Said Rev. Larry Leland, Clergy Delegate and Lewisburg District superintendent.
The 2019 General Conference was opened by Bishops Al Gwinn (retired), Robert T. Hoshibata (Phoenix), and Debra Wallace-Padgett (Birmingham) sharing prayers of humility, unity, and surrender to God’s Sovereignty; setting the tone for the Day of Prayer.
Bishops Eduard Khegay (Moscow) and Harald Ruckert (Germany) led the delegates of General Conference through prayerful worship with and for Europe and Eurasia. Highlighting the complexities of UMC congregations throughout the Europe and Eurasian regions - worshiping in 16 countries, in 20 languages, and 310 local churches - serving tens of thousands of people. They gave thanks for the diverse family of God, the richness of mission work and cultures; and for unity in Christ Jesus. Praying for struggling economies, political differences, displaced people, and restrictions on religious freedom. They ended with a time of experiential prayer at stations throughout the main concourse and within the main bar of the General Conference.
Praying continued, with Bishops Mande Muyombo (North Katanga) and John Yambasu (Sierra Leone) leading prayers with and for Africa. They began with giving thanks to God for spirituality, diversity, church vitality, and mission. Transitioning to prayer for the many missional challenges the continent faces: health, education, leadership development, women’s empowerment, and agriculture. Ending with an offering of prayer for the 2019 General Conference and the important work the General Conference had before it, followed by group prayer between delegates and their neighboring tables.
Layne Miller, one of the lay delegates from the Susquehanna Conference said, “There were so many great elements, praying silently and individually, praying with the people from our delegation, around the table, and praying with strangers that we don’t know. There were communion elements, an element of asking for forgiveness, which was very meaningful to me. Especially as we face tomorrow, we don’t know what is to come, but this day set a great tone for everything that’s going to be coming.”
Bishops Minerva Carcaño (San Francisco) and Leonard Fairley (Louisville) led prayer with and for the USA. Offering thanksgiving prayers for New Church Development, UMCOR Mission Teams, and Ministries with Young People. Then asking heartfelt prayers for those living in poverty, those living as migrants, those affected by gun violence, and those living in modern-day slavery. Ending their time with a blessing for the Prayer Room and Prayer Volunteers by Bishops Bob Farr (Missouri) and Frank Beard (Illinois). The delegates were then dismissed for self-guided prayer.
The afternoon began with a time of prayer with and for the Philippines and Southeast Asia led by Bishops Ciriaco Francisco (Manila), Rudy Juan (Davao), and Pedro Torio (Baguio). They started in song celebrating God’s thriving work and joyfully thanking God for many blessings. Asking prayer for the many struggles they face: an increase in poverty, climate change, human rights violations, violence against women, children, and indigenous people; displacement and migration, extra-judicial killings, and overseas Filipino workers. Their time ended with all Bishops joining hands on stage in a powerful moment of prayer in each of their native languages.
Bishop Gary Mueller (Arkansas) offered some closing remarks of courage, “When it comes to difficult times, when comes to deep pain, when it comes to challenges, it takes every ounce of courage you have to overcome it.”
The day closed with Communion served by all the Bishops to the delegations on the floor, and to visitors throughout the concourses of the building.
