My position with the Foundation and Development Fund for the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference gives me a seat at the table of our Committee on Finance and Administration. At our most recent gathering, we faced the task of finalizing the 2026 budget that will be presented for review and approval at Annual Conference in June.

John Pearce, the Chair of CFA, had arranged for Rev. Dr. Vona Wilson, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, to open the meeting with prayer. She spoke of how she didn’t always write her prayers ahead of time but knowing there were many blessings and challenges to claim and overcome, she felt compelled to do so. As she prayed for our individual and collective work, I was inspired by how she anointed and framed it in hopeful submission to Christ.

After the meeting, I expressed my gratitude to Vona and asked if I could have a copy, which she graciously provided. I share it with you now, and hope you find it equally as inspiring, especially when the work of ministry feels heavy, yet hopeful.

Holy God, we gather as your sons and daughters, prepared to do the work we are asked to do. You have created a new day, which is a gift. You reveal to us your creative presence in the beauty of the spring season that we see every day. Thank you. We are humbled and blessed by your forces in nature that are beyond us.

God, we are reminded daily of our brokenness right now. Our fearful grabbing for power, fame, and resources. Our demand for security. Our assumptions of scarcity. Pressed by a false sense of time, we forget that you didn’t let Moses into the Promised Land, and you didn’t let David build the temple, and yet both children of yours had amazing and impactful ministries by following you. You never asked the disciples to hurry or produce more; you simply said, “go” and share me in the places where my love, grace, mercy, and healing are needed.

We look at leaders, whomever they may be, and we find it easier to criticize than to pray; to assume the worst based on a temporary slip of the tongue and sliding of character, forgetting that your grace is at work in all of our lives even when we cannot perceive it.

And then we remember…we are dust. Formed in your image. Holding your very breath in our bodies; your spirit expressed in our lives.

And then we remember…we belong to you. The church we serve is not ours at all; it is the expression of your resurrected body on earth. It is the hope of the world in its truest form. We cannot contain it or control it, You alone determine its path. Ours is to serve for your glory, however you invite us to serve.

And then we remember…You, Lord, in your mercy, have redeemed us that we might be whole and holy! You, Lord, in your wisdom, have chosen to make us shine like the sun! You, Christ, have shown us – by keeping, listening, and walking with me; I’m leading you into my resurrection. I’m leading you into the fulfilling of my kingdom on earth as is in heaven. I’m carrying you into eternity with me. Take one faithful step at a time.

Thank you, Lord, for your generosity, wisdom, and grace; You have blessed us far beyond what we could have ever asked or imagined. And now, God, please grant us the gift of true humbleness that we might hear you. Place holy boundaries around us so we don’t move outside of your wisdom in any way. And give us, Lord, the courage of lions that we might follow wherever you lead.

We love you Lord, and we trust you completely. We yield this work into your hands, with thanksgiving and praise. We pray this in the name of the resurrected Christ, Amen.

With Prayerful Hope…