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Prayer is one of the most important and life-giving things we do as Christians. It’s more than just a spiritual practice—it’s our lifeline. Prayer is the way we communicate with God, yes—but it’s also how we tune our hearts to listen. It’s how we align ourselves with God’s will, and how we invite God into the everyday parts of our lives. Prayer is how we carry others, how we confess our struggles, how we give thanks, and how we seek guidance.

In the United Methodist Church, we believe prayer is not only personal but deeply communal. We don’t just pray for each other—we pray with each other. We lift up joys and concerns, we hold silence together, we speak ancient words and spontaneous ones. We say the Lord’s Prayer each Sunday, not because it’s routine, but because it roots us in the faith passed down for generations. Prayer keeps us connected—to God and to one another.

As we look ahead to Homecoming Sunday, June 29th, I want to invite us into a shared time of intentional prayer this next week. Homecoming is more than just a special service. It’s a chance to remember, reconnect, and rejoice in all God has done in and through this church family. It’s a moment to pause and celebrate our past, present, and future—and to welcome others into that celebration.

So I’m asking us all to pray—really pray—throughout this next week.  Set aside a few minutes in the morning. Pause before dinner. However you pray, let’s make it part of how we prepare for this time together. Here are some ways you can direct your prayers:

  • Pray for those who will come—especially those who may be walking through our doors for the first time. Pray that they feel seen, welcomed, and embraced with warmth and kindness.

  • Pray for those returning—people who once called this their church home and are coming back. May they find familiar faces, hear familiar songs, and feel a familiar sense of God’s love.

  • Pray for the spirit of celebration—that we might see each other through God’s eyes, celebrate each other’s stories, and be reminded of all the ways this church has shaped lives.

  • Pray for our staff, volunteers and the scouts—those who are preparing music, food, bulletins, hospitality, and more. May their service be filled with joy and gratitude.

  • Pray that our Homecoming glorifies God—that everything we do, from the songs we sing to the laughter around the table, would reflect the light and love of Christ.

This is a special moment in the life of Broad Street UMC. Let’s not rush through it. Let’s enjoy it. And let’s surround it in prayer.

Together, let’s pray our way to Homecoming—and trust that God will meet us there.  See you Homecoming Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy