Holy and Living God: 
 
You have called your people throughout the ages to be a city on a hill, a light unto the nations.  
 
Forgive us for the times in which we have forgotten to to be that city - forgetting that we exist for the other.  
 
We pray for all denominations to embrace this vocation of the kingdom and specifically for The United Methodist Church.  
 
May your Spirit enliven our congregations to reallocate time, talents, gifts and service into the sharing of love and grace with all in their communities and to be a part of the transformation of those communities to be more just.  
 
Refocus our entire attention upon our vocation and not upon sustaining structures and ministries.  
 
Put within our people a clear vision of scriptural holiness throughout our land and give us the stamina to work towards that goal, no matter the cost.  
 
Embolden the leaders of our congregations and organizations, both clergy and laity, to work hand-in-hand taking risks and not shying away if our first attempts fail.  
 
Remind us to wholly trust in you and in the call that your light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.  
 
Amen.
 
 
 
Mike Holly is a graduate of Duke Divinity School, an ordained elder in the North Alabama Conference, and serves the Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.  You can visit his community’s website at www.canterburyumc.org.  You can connect with Mike on Facebook, Twitter (http://twitter.com/mikeholly), or e-mail him at  mike.holly@canterburyumc.org.