The days that are before us, and the days of the coming Mennonite World Assembly, are perhaps like none other.

What it means to be the church, what it means to be an Anabaptist faith community in our world is before us. Who we are corporately, and how we are as a discerning people lies before us. Such a time calls us to much needed prayer as congregations, as a community of believers.

Such a time calls us to seek the way of Jesus, and the words of Jesus. Such a time calls us to seek the moving of the Spirit among us. We cannot discern the time and Christ’s Spirit without the prayer that is needed to open our spirits and hearts to Christ’s leading.

The song that is offered to you with these links is sung prayer, and a way to pray for the coming time; a way to surround that time with prayer. Its simplicity is merely a call to listen, to wait, to seek, and to walk in the way of Christ—the True Vine.

May a spirit of love bring us together as we pray, may wisdom speak through all that would hinder its voice, and may we come humbly before God to wait for the Spirit’s leading among us.

May we be brought to that place where we can be released to be a people who are agents of Christ’s peace, God’s healing,and wholeness in an unprecedented time.

Click here for a recording of the music and a PDF of the lead sheets.

For an SATB version with simple piano accompaniment, email mhouserhamm@gmail.com.

Marilyn Houser Hamm is the former director of worship and spirituality for Mennonite Church Canada.  A career musician and passionate church musician, she chaired the music committee for Hymnal Worship Book, and was a member of the committee for the compilation of both Sing the Journey and Sing the Story. In addition, Marilyn has compiled three Mennonite World Conference International songbooks (Winnipeg “90, Zimbabwe, 2003; and Harrisburg, Pa., 2015) and has led the global Anabaptist community in song at two of those assemblies and countless national and bi-national assemblies.