I have been reading Church History in recent days. In the days after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Between 480 and 550 there lived an early Church Father known as Benedict of Nursia. Benedict was distraught by Rome’s collapse, fled to the Italian countryside around the year 500. There with his sister Scholastica, gathered two communities of people, “who were themselves looking for a more meaningful way of life” than was offered by the remnants of Christianity.

He envisioned the spiritual life as “Twelve Steps of Humility” shaping the heart for “holy obedience” whereby external chaos would give way to an internally ordered soul. Compassion was balanced with discipline.

It was a communal life of prayer and good works.

When the Methoidst movement was gaining momentum in England, there was a deep sense that folks were looking for a more meaningful way of life. It was also rooted in prayer.

These days, when an average pastor is asked to name the three most important tasks of ministry, prayer rarely makes the list. Preaching, Pastoral Care,and Adminstration are often the top three.

In the days to come, I believe the center piece of the United Methodist movement is prayer.

Prayer rooted in scripture.

Prayer centered in Christ.

Prayer that moves out in the world, serving in love.

Let’s build some bridges across the church that we might prayerfully reach beyond ourselves with compassion and good.