God of the future,
you who holds infinite possibilities,
who calls us out of complacency and into action,
who beckons us step-by-step into the unknown,
 
Guide our feet as we walk together,
run together,
skip together,
fly together,
dance together, 
into the plans you have for us.
 
Embolden us to invite others to come alongside us,
to sing alongside us,
to work alongside us,
to pray alongside us,
to serve alongside us,
to cry alongside us,
to laugh alongside us,
so that all might be able to know of the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
 
Strengthen us for the journey ahead as we bring your dream for this world into reality as United Methodists.  Enable us to plant new communities of faith, serve the least in our towns and cities, share your message of hope and redemption, and live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ so that we may participate in the renewal of your church.
 
We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ.  
 
Amen. 
 
 
Melissa Yosua-Davis co-pastors the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts in the New England Annual Conference as a local pastor with her husband.  They, along with another clergy couple, will be planting a new United Methodist faith community in their city.  Visit her blog “Going on to Perfection” at http://mellanella.blogspot.com.