O Creator and Redeemer God, in a few days we will gather in your presence and as your faithful disciples at the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference. In 1744, your servants John and Charles Wesley first met with a few clergy to consider how they should proceed to save their own souls and those who heard them. They quickly agreed to invite the lay preachers who were in the house to join them.
277 years later, ever-renewing God, you are still bringing us together as United Methodists every year — all connected in Christ and watching over one another in love — to worship, fellowship, learn, conference together, and leave inspired to share our love and hope in our communities, state, and world. As we prepare our hearts and minds to be transformed by this annual conference, we pray:
“This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” (John 13:35 CEB)
Bishop Laurie Haller