Opening Prayer WTS Chapel Worship Service 9.21.21  by Mele Taumoepeau Aho

If your heart desires, please bow your head and let us pray.

Holy One, Holy Three
The Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer
We come before you to praise you, to proclaim your faithfulness, to glorify your Name.

O God of all creation, Giver of life
We confess before you that we have not done enough to shine your light in the world.
A world that is filled with human beings
Who adore you, question you, and wonder about your existence among us.
A world that connects us with a vast amount of water and yet separates country from country. A world that is filled with trees to give human beings clean air to breathe every day of our lives. A world where we experience rain and fire and yet our task is to care for one another.

We give you thanks for the leaders of this country and the world Our President Biden and members of congress.
Grant your wisdom, to hear the cry of your people
And take action for partnerships of those who have the means Urging them to give back to the community.

The COVID-19 pandemic of the 21st century
Shows a world that separates people who experience differences
In race, identity, classifications; the rich, the oppressed, the suffering, and the poor.

Help us to realize the reality of our lifestyles and experiences,
Help us to make commitments to build strong relationships.
To see the colors of your diverse beings NOT as threats but to illuminate And shine your lights to count our strengths and unity.
History tells us that when people migrate from place to place
They strive to find life and peace.
A new location where they feel safe from the oppression
Of the elites that they left behind.

We give you thanks for the leaders of the church,
Grant them wisdom to work hand-in-hand with laity,
The community, agencies, and local businesses
To find ways to give life, serve, and witness with words and deeds.
We give thanks to the individuals and members of the communities
The essential workers who work tirelessly to protect the health of our society
Fill our communities with ears to hear, awaken their hearts to respond with a spirit of hope.

We give you thanks to the president of Wesley and other seminaries, Along with leaders of various institutions, faculty, and staff members. Help them to discern practical and feasible curriculum
To guide students to learn and develop skills that help to transform lives, Witnessing to “peace over panic, faith over fear, and wisdom over worry.”
We give thanks for the student council that meets regularly
To fulfill the needs of our Wesley community,
As we witnessed last week the formation of our newest student organization
– Asian Pacific Islander American student associate at Wesley Theological Seminary. Their support and love are beyond measure
We thank you for our family and friends
Who remind us of their constant love time and time again
We can lean on them, laugh with them,
Feeling and sharing their joys and concerns.

We pray to give us our daily bread,
The resources for today to make a better tomorrow.
We pray to make us see not only with our physical eyes but also our inner eyes The need in our city in DC, state, nation, and global communities.
We pray to endure, embrace and articulate your promise and find ways: Qualitative and quantitative methods in our theological studies.
To realize your kingdom in reality.
That we may work with individuals and community,
As hands and feet for your kingdom.

Prepare us to understand our purpose and goals, Equip us for the tasks ahead, and
Create within us the power of your love
To go out and make disciples in your Name

We pray together as Jesus taught His disciples

Please pray with whatever language you prefer

Our Father who art in heaven (in Tongan)

Ke tapha ho huafa, ke ako mai ho’o pule
Ke fai ho finangalo ‘i mamani ‘o hange ko ia ‘i he langi Foaki mai ‘i he ‘aho ni ha’amau me’akai ki ‘anai
Pea ke fakamolemole ‘emau angahala
‘O hange ko ‘emau fakamolemole
‘A kinautolu fuape ‘oku mo’ua mai
Pea ‘oua na’a ke tuku kimautolu ki he ‘ahi’ahi
Ka ke fakahaofi ‘a kimautolu mei he fili
He ‘oku ‘o’ou ‘a e pule pea mo e malohi
Mo e kololia ‘o ta’engata pea ta’engata
‘Emeni/Amen!

Meet 3rd Year M.Div. student Mele Taumoepeau Aho. Mele anticipates she will graduate with a specialization in Public Theology in December 2021. Part of the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, Mele is on the Elder track for ordination, and is currently preparing for her conference’s Provisional Member interviews in January 2022.