Pastoral Prayer (October 4 World Communion Sunday) Athens First UMC

O Lord, as we prepare to break bread together, remind us that we do not receive the Sacrament alone. We are part of a long line of diverse brothers and sisters who have more in common than anything that can ever seek to divide us. We have you in common. We have the body of Christ in common.

On this World Communion Sunday, may this sacred act of receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion be a visible expression of the unity that we have through you. Bless each church and pastor in our community so that we might shine the light of Christ throughout Athens and southeast Ohio.

May every steeple, every church sign, every church website, every church ad in the newspaper, every outreach to our community point people to your saving love in Jesus Christ. Thank you for this shared mission of all our churches.

As we reflect on what it means to be brothers and sisters in Christ, we especially think of those who are struggling with health concerns, grieving the loss of loved ones, wrestling in their faith, and facing times of transition. We share in their struggles because we are part of the same family. We are part of your family.

Thank you for the many ways that you remind us of just how expansive your church family is, like when we go on a missions trip and we are welcomed by Christians who speak a different language, like when a college student who visits our church for the first time feels so welcomed that she wants to invite her college friends to attend with her, like the homebound member who prays for her church every day even though he is unable to attend on Sunday mornings, like the pre-school parents who bring their children to our church each week because their children are loved and welcomed here.

Thank you for these many ways that we are all part of your family, O God. And now, as your children and as brothers and sisters together, we pray together saying, “Our Father…”