I will likely write an update post soon, but for now, I wanted to post this prayer from yesterday’s daily office because I like it and I want to remember it.
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic church.
Fill it with all truth, in all truth, with all peace.
Where it is corrupt, purify it;
Where it is in error, direct it;
Where in any thing it is amiss, reform it.
Where it is right, strengthen it;
Where it is in want, provide for it;
Where it is divided, reunite it;
For the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
As I was pondering this on my Sunday morning walk, two pastors from the neighborhood passed me on their way to services – one the pastor of a large contemporary church, the other the pastor of a small fundamentalist church.
May the prayer above be so for both of them and their congregations, for me,
and for all of the church, wherever and however we gather.
kingdom grace 
That’s a great post. I spend more time complaining about the church than praying for it. I guess I have to change first.
David, that is what I appreciated about the prayer too – it is applicable to any and all of us, and it addresses the need for change in the body of Christ without pointing a judgmental finger at the other.
Praying for the church is so important. Thanks for reminding me. I think that I’ll copy this prayer and try to pray it regularly.
I agree Bob, and I think keeping a “catholic” perspective of the church is also important. I have prayed for you and your wife, hope you are both doing well.
Thanks for praying for us Linda. It has been a very difficult summer in Chicago. More on that at http://tinyurl.com/AnnUpdate.