Prayer for the Church in the World

Delivered by Rev. John L. McCullough
Executive Director and CEO, Church World Service

Installation:
H.E. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
President General Assembly NCCUSA/CWS
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral
New York City

November 8, 2007

God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church's story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

We pray, Gracious God for the Church in the World, a sign of your holy and anointed presence, the voice of your deep and profound love for humanity born in your Image, and spirit of your Spirit moving across the waters transforming hatred into love, misunderstanding into just relationships, and estrangement into community.

We pray that you will fill the Church with confidence so that it may walk by faith… and, not merely by sight. And we unite our hearts and minds as American Christians with the World Council of Churches, other regional Councils, and other faith traditions with which you have so richly endowed the earth.

Lo! the hosts of evil 'round us,
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

We pray for your bride, the Church: that it may be resolute in its mission to claim all unto you. Empower it to overcome tribulation and distress, persecution and famine, nakedness, peril, and sword. Let it not be afraid of death nor life, of angels or principalities or powers, of things present or even of things to come. Give it the height and depth that will keep her in perfect union with you and the Holy Spirit.

We pray for the church in its mission to remember to minister to those who are the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed; and those who anguish every day, crying out for justice and mercy.

Cure Thy children's warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal.

We pray for the Church here in the United States and throughout the world, especially we pray for the churches prophetic witness, and compassionate communion in:

Pakistan, Iraq, the Philipines, Myanmar, the Gulf Coast, Kosovo, Zimbabwe, the Middle East… and all other places where your people feel the brokenness and pain of conflict, greed, disrespect, and disappointment.

Set our feet on lofty places,
Gird our lives that they may be,
Armored with all Christ-like graces,
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee,
That we fail not man nor Thee.

We pray that the Church will continue to touch and inspire the children and youth of the world, that it may be for them a haven of safety, free from the violence that kills both the body and the spirit; and that they may be justified for their faith and be at peace with you.

Help the Church to be the voice that demands an end to violence in our schools, that extends the communion of bread and drink to children who hunger, and that comforts and encourages children who feel lost or afraid. Let the Church be called holy from generation to generation for its good works and acts of charity.

Save us from weak resignation,
To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation,
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving Thee Whom we adore,
Serving Thee Whom we adore.

Amen.