Prayer for community

As Wesleyans we believe that God saves us as individuals, but that saving grace is expressed in different ways and is usually best understood and helped along in a community of faith that is also being saved. To be a Christian is to be part of a body, part of a community already. God creates out of his own likeness and image, and that is of a community, a Trinity. God's love expands to add our personhood in creation and as such we are best understood, grow best, love best, and serve best as a part of community.

We often forget what this means and the real need we all have for community so today pray this prayer, and ask God to reveal Himself and His love for you in the faces and actions of others.

Almighty God, you have made all people and created them to be like you. You are love and so we are at our best when we love one another. Help us to love.

We give thanks for each other, and we ask that you would draw us together in unity of spirit, unity of purpose, and unity of care. Open our eyes to see the people around us who bear your image and who need us to help them become who you made them to be. Open our eyes to see those who have and are helping us to become who you made us to be. 

Open our hearts to the communities around us that do not know your voice yet and help us to go together to answer the needs of mercy we see all around us. Help us to listen, help us to learn, help us to hold both ourselves accountable to one another and to encourage each other to pursue Jesus at all costs. 

You are good to us, never leaving nor forsaking us. Help us to follow you together.
In Jesus' name
Amen