This past fall, I had occasion to visit the Washington National Cathedral. This was not my first visit. After my scheduled appointment, I spent about an hour sitting in the nave of the Cathedral. I sat there in silence for a while.
I prayed.
I sang quietly.
I moved only once to make my way to a kneeling rail where I lit a series of candles in prayer for a variety of people and situations. The last candle I lit was in prayer for the North Georgia Delegation to the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. As I prayed for this group, I prayed for wisdom, peace, decorum, and for the unity of the Church. Never before have my prayers for the unity of the Church felt so urgent.
I often recall the words of the hymn, “God of Grace, and God of Glory” as I pray to God, “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.”
Mine was one voice in prayer that day. But I invite you to join me in prayer for the unity of the Church—pray for unity with your words, and live into unity with your actions.
Mathew A. Pinson is assistant dean of development and alumni relations at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He is the Conference Lay Leader, and he is the Chairperson of the North Georgia Delegation to the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. You may contact Mathew at mathewpinson@gmail.com.
