PRAYER GUIDE FOR DISCERNMENT 

Socastee United Methodist Church entered into a time of discernment in May 2024. 

In the time leading up to our Holy Conferencing, seeking God's will for our church together, we have gathered and shared information, received instruction on how the polity of the UMC works, had guests share their ideas on why we should leave or stay in the denomination, and begun the process of completing the items on the Board of Trustees of the South Carolina Conference checklist in anticipation of a Church Conference between January 15 and March 1 of 2025 at which the District Superintendent will conduct a vote of the membership. 

It is vitally important to note that our time of discernment as believers is not only about seeking human knowledge but pressing into God's Word, guided by the Holy Spirit, and seeking the Lord's insight and direction. 

Scripture tells us to seek wisdom in God's Word. 

Therefore, I have prepared a Scripture-based prayer guide as a tool to press into God's Word in prayer as we seek God's will in all that we do. 

Each day provides a Scripture and a focus for your time of prayer. 

It is my hope that all members and certainly all who participate(d) in our time of Holy Conferencing will come together in Corporate Prayer. 

• As you feel led, pray for love, peace and kindness in our thoughts and conversations. 
• Follow the prayer guide in your personal time of prayer. 
• Pray the prayer focuses with your family, in Sunday School, Bible study, and small groups. 
• Use fasting as an opportunity to commune with God. 

Suggested Pattern for Prayer and Intercession 

• Invite the Lord into your time of prayer. 
• Begin by praising God and giving thanks for what he had done and will do. 
• Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and speak to you through the scripture readings. 
• Slowly read the scripture for the day. 
• Pray through what the Holy Spirit reveals and/or pray using the suggested focus. 
• Write in a journal and consider any insights you received. 

See calendar for Scripture and prayer focus for each day. 

Suggested Prayer: 

Gracious and merciful God, before we speak, before we think, we pray. Come and be with me/us as I/we pray. 

1/We praise you and give you thanks for the ways in which you have blessed me/us through Socastee United Methodist Church over the months/years that I/we have been a member here. And for the ways I/we have been able to use the spiritual gifts and resources gifted to me to serve you in this world. 

I/we thank you for the ways I/we have grown here as your disciple through worship, study, and fellowship of various types. 

Guide me/us now, 0 Lord, by the power of your Holy Spirit as I/we seek your will above our own. 

Speak to me/us through your Holy Word as I/we read and meditate upon each verse I/we read together with my/our brothers and sisters in Christ each day. Open my/our heart(s) and mind(s) to receive this word from you from 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________(daily scripture reading/focus). 

Help me/us to be still and listen for Your voice above all of the busyness and noises that make up our day. 

Bless the work that you have given me/us to do and the will to do it well. 

And when I/we go to rest at night, make good any defects in what I/we have attempted and may all that I/we have done may be pleasing and bring glory to you. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grace and peace, Pastor Paula